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NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH 


•- 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 


HIS  ANCESTORS,  HIS  LANDS,  HIS  CONFEDERATES , 
HIS  ENEMIES,  HIS  MURDERS,  HIS  WAR, 

HIS  PURSUIT  AND  CAPTURE 


By  0.  O.  HOWARD 

BRIG.  GEN.  U.  S.  A. 


BOSTON 

LEE  AND  SHEPARD  PUBLISHERS 

NEW  YORK  CHARLES  T.  DILLINGHAM 

I 88  I 


COPYRIGHT, 

1881, 

By  OLIVER  0.  HOWARD. 


All  Rights  Reserved. 


Electkotyped  at  the  Boston  Stereotype  Foundry, 
No.  4 Pearl  Street 


DEDICATION 


(j/0 


TO 

EDWIN  GREBLE,  Esq., 

OF  PHILADELPHIA , 

A TRUE  FRIEND  OF  EVERY  PATRIOTIC  CAUSE,  AND  WHOSE 
BELOVED  SON, 

COL.  J.  T.  GREBLE, 

WAS  THE  FIRST  REGULAR  OFFICER  WHO  FELL 
IN  THE  LATE  CIVIL  WAR, 

IN  GRATEFUL  ACKNOWLEDGMENT  OF  HIS  GENEROUS 
HOSPITALITY  AND  ENDEARING 
AFFECTION. 


O.  O.  HOWARD. 


PREFACE. 


It  occurred  to  me  that  some  account  of  an  Indian 
tribe,  at  peace  and  in  war,  might  be  interesting  and' 
useful,  especially  to  readers  in  the  Eastern  States.  The 
people  of  the  east  consider  the  Indian  problem  more  dis- 
passionately, but  are  likely  to  receive  colored  or  false 
impressions,  on  account  of  their  distance  from  actual  In- 
dians, and  from  the  scenes  of  conflict. 

There  are  few  Indians  in  America  superior  to  the  Nez 
Perces.  Among  them  the  contrast  between  heathen  and 
Christian  teaching  is  most  marked.  Even  a little  unself- 
ish work,  both  by  Catholic  and  Protestant  teachers,  has 
produced  wonderful  fruit,  illustrated  by  those  who  re- 
mained on  the  reservation  during  the  war,  and  kept 
the  peace  ; while  the  unhappy  effects  of  superstition  and 
ignorance  appear  among  the  renegades  and"  non-treaties.” 
The  results  to  these  have  been  murder,  loss  of  country, 
and  almost  extermination. 

While  endeavoring  to  relieve  the  account  of  the  cam- 
paign from  the  stiffness  of  military  reports,  and  desiring 
to  make  it  as  pictorial  as  possible  for  common  reading, 
yet  I have  hoped  that  the  military  student  might  find  it 
profitable  to  study  the  battles  and  marches  herein  de- 

. iii 


IV 


PREFACE. 


scribed.  They  afford  an  exhibit  of  this  peculiar  service, 
the  Indian  campaigning  of  our  day. 

If  I have  dealt  too  familiarly  with  the  names  and  doings 
of  my  brother  officers,  they  will  forgive  me  when  they 
plainly  see  that  my  object  is  only  to  portray,  though  I 
confess  inadequately,  their  meritorious  labors. 

The  Indian  service  now  devolving  upon  our  army  is 
necessarily  arduous  and  unpopular.  It  involves  a work 
that  our  peace-loving  people  think  might  be  avoided. 
But  fair-minded  Americans  cannot  ignore,  or  fail  to  com- 
mend, the  ability,  industry,  and  perpetual  sacrifices  of 
their  soldiers. 

O.  O.  H. 

Vancouver  Barracks,  August  7,  1879. 


CONTENTS 


PACT 

Preface iii 

CHAPTER  I. 

Joseph  the  Nez  Perce  Chieftain  and  his  People — Where  located,  their 
Lands  and  Hunting-grounds 1 

CHAPTER  n. 

Joseph’s  Youth — His  Early  Advantages — The  Character  of  his 
People  — How  they  Looked  and  what  they  did  in  the  Decade  from 
1836  8 

CHAPTER  HI. 

Joseph’s  Confederates  — How  they  Looked  in  Earlier  Times  — The 
“ Treaty  ” and  “ Non-Treaty  ” Indians  . . 16 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Causes  of  War  with  the  Non-Treaties  — The  Attitude  of  Gov- 
ernor Grover  and  the  Citizens 22 

CHAPTER  V. 

The  First  Interview  with  Joseph  — Causes  of  Trouble  — Indepen- 
dency — Immigration  — An  Indian  killed  — The  Washington  Com- 
mission — Its  Report 28 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Joseph’s  own  Band  — Agent  Monteith  sent  to  Joseph  — The  Talk  at 
Umatilla — Ollicut,  or  Young  Joseph,  Described — Captain  Boyle’s 
Mistake  — Walla-Walla  Talk  — Incidents  of  Journey  up  the  Co- 
lumbia — Steamboat  Accident  — A Prophetic  Event 35 


V 


vi 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Joseph’s  own  Band  — Ollicut  Comes  to  the  Interview  — Joseph  Ab- 
sent from  Sickness  — What  Cute  Spies  they  are  — The  Gatling 
Gun  — Wait-la-pu  and  the  Country  round  about  — The  Whitman 
Massacre  — A Characteristic  Frontier  Family  — Smohollie  — 
Homily  and  other  Indians  who  are  deeply  Interested  in  Joseph’s 
Movements  — The  Wallula  Talk  — These  Indians  really  Joseph’s 
Allies  — The  Journey  to  Lewiston,  and  several  Symptoms  of  War  42 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Joseph’s  own  Band  — The  Journey  to  the  Council  at  Lapwai  — 
Grand  Preliminary  Ceremonies  — Account  of  Characters,  and  of 
the  First  Day’s  Proceedings 50 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Joseph  and  his  Confederates  — The  Second  Interview  — White  Bird 
and  his  Band  — Alpowa  Jim  — Joseph’s  brief  Speech  — Too-hul- 
hul-sote  — The  Adjournment 57 

CHAPTER  .X. 

Joseph  and  his  Confederates  — The  Third  Council  — Hush-hush-cute 

— The  Old  Dreamer  again  — His  Defiant  Talk  and  Arrest  — The 

Dangers  of  a Massacre  — The  Change  of  Tone 63 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Joseph  and  his  Confederates  — The  Ride  through  the  Lapwai  Valley 
to  Look  for  Land  — The  Lunch,  and  the  Caldwell  House  — A 
Horse-race—  Looking-glass  and  White  Bird  Pledging  their  Lives  — 

The  Decision  to  come  on  the  Reservation  — Joe  Bobosko's  Joy  — 
Looking-glass  Laughing  — The  Final  Interview  — Indians  Fright- 
ened by  Rumors  — Good  Faith  Apparent,  Except  with  Hush-hush- 
cute  — Joseph  Changes  his  Choice  of  Land  — General  rejoicing  — 
General  Howard’s  Life  threatened  — The  Return  to  Portland, 
Oregon 68 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Joseph’s  Allies  — Back  at  the  Place  of  Beginning — Peaceful  Scenes 

— Colonel  Watkins,  the  Indian  Inspector — The  Fourteen  Masters 

— Skemiah — Visit  to  Father  Wilbur — A Clean  Church  — The 
Messengers  sent  to  Numerous  Indian  Tribes  — Branding  Cattle 

— Good  Tidings 74 


CONTENTS. 


vii 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Joseph’s  Allies  — The  Yakima  Country — Fort  Simcoe  — Joe  Stwyre 

— Smohollie  — Moses  — Pambrun,  the  Interpreter  — The  Talk  of 
June  Eighth  — Solemn  Formality  — Well-dressed  Indian  Women 

— Colonel  Watkins’  Speech  — Agent  Wilbur’s  Speech  — The 

Sunday  Service  — A Wonderful  Occasion  — The  Wild  Indian’s 
Answer  — The  School  Children’s  Songs  — Talk  of  June  Tenth  — 
Speeches  of  Moses  and  others 80 

CHAPTER  XIY. 

Joseph  and  his  Surroundings  — Scenery — Curious  Forms  — Almota 

— Lewiston  — A Frontier  Village  — Army  Officers  — Charley 
Monteith  — Peace  — The  Ominous  Sign  — L.  P.  Brown’s  Advice 

— The  Larry-Ott  Case  — The  Second  Letter  of  Alarm  — West  and 

the  Brother  of  Looking-glass  — The  Massacres 86 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Joseph  and  his  Murders  — Messengers  and  Excitement  at  Fort 
Lapwai — The  Good  and  Bad  Divide  — Coolness  of  Deportment 
difficult  — A Startling  Letter  from  Mount  Idaho  — General  Ac- 
count of  the  Killing  and  Wounding  — Call  for  Arms  — Murders  on 
the  Salmon  — Second  Letter  — This  Means  Business  — Wilkinson 
off  with  Despatches 94- 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Joseph  and  his  Lodges  — A Chapter  of  Horrors  — Larry  Ott  — Sam- 
uel Benedict  — An  Indian  Killed  — Harry  Mason  — Two  Indians 
Whipped — Manuel’s  Ranch  — The  Indians’  Camp  — Mr.  Jarrett’s 
Alarm  and  Escape  — Richard  Divine  Killed,  June  13 — Henry 
Elfers  and  others  Killed,  June  14  — August  Bacon  and  others 
Killed  the  15th— Mrs.  Manuel  Killed  — Crooks’  Interview  with 
Murderers — The  Norton  Family  and  Friends  killed  or  wounded 
— Crushing  a Child 100 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Joseph  and  his  Enemies  — The  Distance  to  Scene  of  Murders  — 

The  Cavalrymen  on  the  way  — The  Pack-mule  Train  — Night 
March  — Excited  Citizens  of  Grangeville  and  Mount  Idaho  - — 
Volunteer  Aid  — White-bird  Canyon  — Second  Night  March  — 

The  Salmon  described  — Also  the  Scene  of  Conflict.  — Meet  Mrs. 
Benedict  as  the  Troops  descend  the  Canyon  — A Sad  Picture  . . 107 


VU1 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Joseph  — His  Warriors  and  his  Enemies  — Perry’s  Fight  at  White- 
bird  Canyon  — Theller  in  Advance  — Heads  Appearing  — Deadly 
Shots  — The  Indians  Flanking — Battle  Joined  — All  Going  Well 
at  first  — Horses  Frightened  — Bugler  Silenced  by  Death  — Re- 
treat — First  Rally  — Retreat  Again  — Much  Confusion  — The 
Rout  — Theller’s  Death  — Bearing  Tidings 114 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

The  Waiting — The  Preparation — How  Troops  Assembled  from  all 
Quarters  — The  Fight  at  Kamiah  — The  Story  of  Jonah’s  Wife  — 
Perry’s  Letter 119 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Joseph’s  First  Battle,  and  its  Effects  — Excitement  at  Lapwai  and  at 
Kamiah  — James  Lawyer  and  the  Friendly  Indian  Escort  — Miss 
MacBeth’s  Story  — Christian  Indians  Remain  True  throughout  — 
Fever-like  Panic  at  Lapwai  — Busy  Preparations  — Generosity  of 
Friendly  Indians  — General  Howard’s  March  — The  First  Day  . 125 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Joseph  and  his  War  — March  continued  — Colonel  Miller  — Reveille 
about  4.30  — Norton’s  — A Consequence  of  Riot  Run  Mad  — Sun- 
day — An  Honor  Unearned  — Waiting  for  Troops  — The  Country 
described  — Well-watered  as  Eden  — The  North  Pacific  — The 
Forward  Movement  — Visit  to  Grangeville  and  Mount  Idaho  — 

The  Wounded 133 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Joseph  and  his  War  — Junction  of  Troops  at  Johnson’s  Ranch  — A 
Word  from  Home  — Effect  of  Exaggerated  Reports  — How  a Sol- 
dier peoples  the  Hills  and  Ridges  with  Troops  — Neighborhood  of 
Perry’s  Disaster  described  — A Deserted  Camp  — A Reconnois- 
ance  — The  Boise  Movement  under  Green  — Burying  the  Dead  — 
Lieutenant  Theller’s  Body  — Joseph  and  his  Warriors  beyond  the 
Salmon,  watching  the  Troops  — Joseph’s  Generalship  Compli- 
mented   141 


CONTENTS. 


IX 


CHAPTER  XXHI. 

Joseph  and  his  War  — Skirmish  at  the  Salmon-River  Crossing  — 
Cavalry  Skirmish  with  the  Famous  Looking-glass  — The  Cavalry 
Skirmishes  at  the  Cottonwood,  near  Norton’s  Ranch : Including 
the  Action  of  the  Seventeen  Volunteers,  and  the  Massacre  of 
Lieutenant  Rains  and  Party 147 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Joseph  and  his  War  — Battle  of  the  Clearwater,  the  11th  of  July  — 
Lieutenant  Fletcher  Discovers  the  Enemy  — Rapid  Movements  of 
Indians  — Quick  Changes  of  Troops  — Food  and  Powder  in  Dan- 
ger — Charges  on  Foot  and  on  Horseback  — Bancroft  and  Williams 
Wounded — Miller’s  Charge — How  Aides-de-camp  Assisted  — 
Indians  Captured  Spring  of  Water  — The  Second  Day  — Spring 
Recaptured  — Jackson’s  Approach  — Miller  sent  through  the  Ene- 
my’s Line  — An  Officer  of  General  McDowell’s  Staff — The  Final 
Attack  — The  Victory 157 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

Joseph  and  his  War  — Battle  of  the  Clearwater  — A Brief  Pursuit 
across  the  River  — The  Charge  down  the  Steep  at  Kamiah  — In- 
dians Crossing  the  Clearwater — A Brisk  Skirmish  — Joseph’s 
Position  — The  Beginning  of  the  Lolo  Trail  — Reconnoitering  — 
Joseph’s  Diplomacy  — Surrender  of  a part  — Mason’s  Expedition 
— Springing  an  Ambuscade 165 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Joseph  and  the  Long  Pursuit — First  Plan  — Why  Abandoned  — 
Second  Plan  Adopted  — Long  March  Begins  — Green’s  Arrival — 

An  Indian  Religious  Service  — River  Crossing — Trouble  with  In- 
dian Scouts  — Buffalo  Horn  — Robbins’  Trail  Obstructed  — Camp 
Described,  with  Detail  — Difficulties  of  the  Lolo  — Spurgin  and 
the  Pioneers 171 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

Joseph,  and  the  Pursuit  — A Break  in  the  Story  — Buffalo  Horn  in  a 
New  Light  — An  Effort  to  Locate  on  Lolo  Trail  — Messengers  — 
News  from  Montana  — How  the  Indians  Flanked  Captain  Rawn  — 


X 


CONTENTS. 


Loud  Firing  Ahead  — Another  River-crossing  — No  Forage  — Fish 
Abundant  — Mules  Fasting  — The  Oasis  — Warm  Springs  — A 
Horseman  in  Sight  — Despatch  from  Gibbon  — Sergeant  Suther- 
land — He  goes  out  at  Night  with  an  Indian  Guide 181 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Joseph  and  the  Pursuit  — Sutherland’s  Progress  — The  Trail 
Difficult  and  Obstructed  — Shelving  Rocks  — The  Coyotes  — 
Lieutenant  Fletcher  and  Gibbon’s  Tall  Messenger  — Sutherland 
Deserted  by  his  Indian  Guide — His  Horse  “Plays  Out” — Buck- 
ing Horse  Described  — The  Movement  of  Troops  following  the 
Messenger  — Twenty-two  Miles  equivalent  to  Forty  — General 
Sherman’s  Proximity  — Colonel  Mason  likes  a Wagon-road  — 

The  Mouth  of  the  Lolo  — The  Soldier’s  Criticism  — Thirty-four 
Miles  in  a Day  with  Trembling  Horses  — Bitter-Root  Valley  — 

The  Doctor  — Ross’ Hole  — A Spy 186 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Joseph  and  the  Pursuit — Manner  of  Marching — The  Oaks  — Camp 
John  Gibbon  — Lieutenant  Bacon  — Chief  Robbins  — The  Escort 
— A Trot  all  Day  — Name  “ Ross’  Hole  ” accounted  for  — Day’s 
Journey  53  Miles  — Ascending  the  Rocky  Mountains  — Scouts 
Returning  with  Seven  Citizens  — First  News  of  Gibbon’s  Fight  — 
How  the  Camp  was  Fixed  — Bonny’s  Return  Ride  — The  Spy  — 
Sutherland  Again  — Gibbon  wounded 195 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

Joseph  and  the  Battle  of  Big-Hole  — The  Approach  of  Escort  to 
Gibbon’s  Camp  described  — Are  they  Indians?  — Are  they  Sol- 
dier’s Horses  Grazing?  — Soldiers  Bathing  — Gibbon’s  Camp  — 

The  Hospital  Appearance  — Indians  Slip  Off  in  the  Night  — 
Battle-Field  described  — Women  in  the  Stream  asking  for  Pro- 
tection — Gibbon’s  Story 202 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Joseph  and  the  Pursuit  — The  Killed  and  Wounded  — Loyalty  to 
Duty  — Love  of  War  — Burial  of  the  Enemy’s  Dead  — Bannock 
Outrages  — The  Sunday  Work  — The  Two  Nez  Perce  Herders  — 

The  March  Resumed  — Joseph’s  Strategy  — Old  Captain  John  — 


CONTENTS 


XI 


The  Wounded  in  Rough  Wagons  — Bannock  City  — Horse  Prairie 

— Successful  Stealing  of  Horses  — Taunts  — Colonel  Shoup  and 

Ten-Dog’s  Indians  — Captain  Norwood  — The  Corinne  Road  — 
Calloway’s  Volunteers 209 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

Joseph  and  the  Pursuit  — Junction  Station  — An  Attempt  at  Rest, 
and  what  came  of  it  — Lieutenant  Bacon  sent  to  head  Indians  off 
at  Henry  Lake  — The  Town  Meeting — Pleasant  Valley  — No 
Escort  — Indians  Ahead  — The  Indians  get  past  Dry  Creek  — 
Buffalo  Horn  Observing  — A Gentlemanly  Old  Man  — Cavalry 
Slow  — Stages  Robbed  and  Men  Killed  — Official  Remonstrance 

— Another  Camas  Meadows  — Joseph’s  Night  Raid 217 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

Joseph  and  the  Battle  of  Camas  Meadows  — The  Camp  of  the  19th 
August,  and  its  Surroundings  — The  Lava  Knolls  — Position  of  the 
Volunteers  and  Troops  — The  Mules  Grazing  — Mason  Planted 
the  Outposts  — A Tent  Scene  — A Terrific  Noise  — The  V olunteer 
Panic  — Stampede  of  the  Animals  — How  Joseph  Approached  — 
The  Bell-Mare  — Prompt  Preparation  — Mules  Overtaken  — In- 
dians Flanking  our  Advance  — Norwood’s  Fight  — Lieutenant 
Benson  wounded — Burial  of  the  Dead 223 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Joseph  and  the  Pursuit  — Extraordinary  March  — Picturesque  Scouts 

— Captain  Bainbridge  — Cheering  Words  — Moral  Effect  of  Kindly 
Expressions  — Fisher — Chit-Chat  on  the  March  — Thoughts  of 
Home  — Head- Waters  of  the  Snake  — Indian  Dance — Buffalo 
Horn’s  Modest  Request — Charge  of  Treachery — A Very  Early 
Start  — Tacher’s  Pass  — Discouragement  of  Troops  — Naked  and 
Hungry — Hot  Days  and  Freezing  Nights  — General  Howard’s 
Visit  to  Virginia  City  — Horses  at  a Premium  — Return  to  Camp 

— General  Sherman’s  Telegram  — Camp  Ebstein  — A Fresh  Start  230 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Joseph  and  the  Pursuit  — The  National  Park — The  Geyser  Party 


— Continued  Indian  Outrages  — The  Lawyer’s  Account  — The 
Hot  Springs  and  Sulphur  Plains  — The  Geysers  — The  Mud 
Springs  — Joseph’s  Hindrances — The  Terrible  Trail  — The  Yel- 
lowstone Crossing 239 


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NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  I. 


JOSEPH  THE  NEZ  PERCE  CHIEFTAIN  AND  HIS  PEOPLE.  — 
WHERE  LOCATED.  — THEIR  LANDS  AND  HUNTING-GROUNDS. 


EAR  the  confluence  of  two  mountain-torrents,  which 


-Li  unite  and  flow  into  the  Snake  River,  some  twenty- 
five  miles  above  the  present  town  of  Lewiston,  Idaho,  is 
a rough  valley,  which  bears  the  euphonious  name  of 
Imnaha.  This  valley,  small  and  narrow  as  it  is,  and 
environed  by  the  rugged  hills  of  the  Snake  country,  was 
formerly  the  home  of  a branch  of  the  Nez  Perees,  — that 
tribe  of  Indians  which  is  now  so  well  known  in  America,  — 
a tribe  remarkable  for  presenting  some  of  the  best  and 
some  of  the  worst  features  of  Indian  life  and  character. 

The  old  chief,  who  figures  in  the  early  times  of  Oregon, 
and  in  the  accounts  of  the  celebrated  Hudson  Bay  Com- 
pany, was  called  Joseph,  and  later  "Old  Joseph.’’  In- 
deed, Joseph  appears  to  have  been  the  name  of  a dynasty 
rather  than  of  an  individual.  Here  in  Imnaha,  in  a nook 
sheltered  from  the  storms  of  winter,  old  Joseph  set  up 
his  lodge.  He  was  acknowledged  to  be  the  hereditary 
chief  of  the  remnant  of  the  " Lower  ” Nez  Perees.  He 


1 


1 


2 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


was  a sturdy  old  Indian,  strongly  knit  in  frame,  and  with 
a face  usually  mild,  but  exhibiting  the  signs  of  an  iron 
will,  which  made  him  at  once  noticeable  in  the  Indian  or 
Americo-Indian  councils  that  so  frequently  disturbed  the 
peace,  when  our  people  first  began  to  jostle  the  then 
quiet  holders  of  the  soil  in  this  region  of  the  far  West. 

The  old  chief,  as  well  as  certain  of  his  tribe,  entered 
into  some  agreements  with  Governor  Stevens,  of  Wash- 
ington Territory ; but  to  the  white  man’s  improvements 
and  encroachments  he  usually  maintained  a sour  and  per- 
sistent opposition.  He  married  a wife  among  the  fierce 
and  treacherous  Cay  uses.  These  are  the  people  who 
thirty  years  ago  figured  largely  in  the  history  of  Eastern 
Oregon,  and  who  used  to  embroil  with  themselves,  and 
with  each  other,  the  voyageurs  of  the  great  Fur 
Company,  and  later,  the  Catholic  and  Protestant  mission- 
aries, and  who  finally  capped  the  climax  of  their  diabo- 
lism by  the  "Whitman  Massacre.” 

Two  boys  were  the  fruit  of  the  old  chiefs  marriage. 

They  were  nearly  of  the  same  age.  Some  neighboring 
white  men  regarded  them  as  twins. 

The  one  who  took  the  name  of  the  old  chief  was  called 
"Joseph,”  "Little  Joseph,”  or  "Young  Joseph;  the 
other,  " Ollicut.” 

When  I first  saw  them  they  were  already  young  men. 
Their  father  had  died  a year  before,  in  1873. 

Though  "Young  Joseph”  succeeded  to  the  chieftain- 
ship, Ollicut  generally  participated  in  all  affairs  of  gov- 
ernment. The  former  was  noticeable  for  the  peculiar 
expression  of  his  face.  It  appeared  to  partake  of  the 
mild  obstinacy  of  his  father,  and  the  treacherous  slyness 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  PEOPLE. 


3 


of  his  mother’s  people.  He  was  about  six  feet  in  height, 
and  finely  formed.  His  brother's  countenance  was  in 
complete  contrast.  He  was  considerably  taller,  lithe, 
and  active ; he  appeared  frank,  open-hearted,  and  gener- 
ous. Joseph  wore  a sombre  look,  and  seldom  smiled. 
Ollicut  was  full  of  fun  and  laughter. 

Before  proceeding  with  the  narrative  in  which  these 
Indian  youths  bear  a prominent  part  it  may  be  interest- 
ing to  recount  some  facts  concerning  the  tribe  to  which 
they  belong. 

In  these  times  of  hurried  work  and  hasty  reading  not 
one  man  in  ten  will  stop  to  look  up  the  data  of  geogra- 
phy ; yet  the  tenth  man  may  be  curious  enough  to  do 
so.  The  ordinary  atlas  gives  only  the  most  general 
notion.  Even  a tract  of  a hundred  miles,  which  it  takes 
four  days  of  the  fastest  foot-marching  to  get  over,  and 
which  contains  hills,  mountains,  valleys,  and  streams  of 
every  variety  of  aspect,  is  represented  by  a bit  of  blank 
space  as  clean  and  objectless  as  were  the  unknown  parts 
of  Africa  on  the  maps  of  our  early  days.  The  newspaper 
editors  would  be  more  patient  with  Indian  chasers  if  they 
could  be  made  to  realize  how  deceptive  the  small-scale 
atlases  are. 

I notice  that  Irving,  in  Bonneville  s Adventures , refers 
to  the  Nez  Perces,  for  the  first  time,  as  not  far  from  his 
camp  on  the  " upper  waters  of  the  Salmon  River.”  This 
is  a little  indefinite,  for  there  are  numerous  branches  of 
the  " upper  waters  of  the  Salmon  but  as  he  speaks  also 
of  the  Horse  Prairie  as  being  in  that  vicinity,  — "a  plain 
to  the  north  of  his  cantonment,”  — this  fixes  the  locality 
pretty  well.  Find  Bannock  City  on  the  map  of  Montana, 


4 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


let  your  eye  pass  a little  to  the  south,  and  you  will  see 
"Horse  Prairie,”  in  very  line  print  even  on  the  largest 
maps ; close  hv  is  the  Rocky  Mountain  divide.  From 
Horse  Prairie  cross  this  divide  by  either  of  the  rough 
trails  and  you  soon  strike  the  head  waters  of  the  Salmon. 
Here  was  probably  Captain  Bonneville’s  camp  in  the 
winter  of  1832-1833.  By  the  route  our  troops  lately  pur- 
sued, from  Lewiston,  Idaho,  to  Horse  Prairie,  the  distance 
is  in  the  neighborhood  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  miles  ; 
and  to  cross  the  " mountain  divide  ” to  Bonneville’s  can- 
tonment would  be  about  twenty  or  twenty-five  miles 
further. 

It  was  there  where  the  hunters  came  galloping  back, 
making  signals  to  the  camp,  and  crying,  " Indians  ! Ind- 
ians ! ” Captain  Bonneville  immediately  struck  into  a 
skirt  of  wood,  and  prepared  for  action.  The  savages 
were  seen  trooping  forward  in  great  numbers.  One  of 
them  left  the  main  body  and  came  forward  simply  making 
signals  of  peace.  He  announced  them  as  a band  of  Nez 
Perces,  or  piercecl-nose  Indians,  friendly  to  the  whites ; 
whereupon  an  invitation  was  returned  by  Captain  Bonne- 
ville for  them  to  come  and  encamp  with  him.  After  array- 
ing their  persons  and  horses,  painting  their  faces,  &c., 
" they  arranged  themselves  in  martial  style,  the  chiefs 
leading  the  van,  the  braves  following  in  a long  line, 
painted  and  decorated,  and  topped  off  with  fluttering 
plumes.  In  this  way  they  advanced,  shouting  and  sing- 
ing, firing  off*  their  fusees,  and  clashing  their  shields. 
The  two  parties  encamped  hard  by  each  other.  The  Nez 
Perces  were  on  a hunting  expedition,  but  had  been  almost 
famished  on  their  march.” 


* 


WHERE  LOCATED. 


5 


This  indicates  the  region  over  which  the  Nez  Perces 
roamed  and  hunted  game.  The  Salmon  River  and  its 
tributaries  furnished  an  immense  territory  for  them.  The 
paths  made  by  them  in  their  expeditions  after  Buffalo, 
antelope,  and  other  game,  are  even  now  clear  and  well 
defined,  — five  or  six,  and  sometimes  as  many  as  ten  or 
twelve,  distinct  horse  trails,  parallel  and  as  near  to  each 
other  as  horses  can  walk  with  ease.  These  trails  consti- 
tute some  of  the  peculiar  signs  of  these  Indian  tribes. 
They  often  make  a side  hill  look  as  if  terraced,  and  are  as 
graceful  in  their  windings  as  if  made  by  a skilful  engi- 
neer. These,  sometimes  called  " The  great  Nez  Perces 
trails,”  extend,  as  we  have  seen,  for  hundreds  of  miles; 
for  the  more  permanent  home  of  the  Nez  Perces  was  then, 
as  now,  nearer  where  the  Salmon,  the  Clearwater,  and 
the  Grande  Konde,  Aoav  into  that  almost  endless  and 
peculiar  river,  so  well  named,  " The  Snake.” 

Captain  Bonneville,  after  his  winter  cantonment  in  Horse 
Prairie,  in  the  spring  of  1833,  made  his  way  toward 
the  Pacific  by  Powder-River  Valley,  where  Baker  City, 
in  eastern  Oregon,  now  is ; by  Grande  Ronde,  now  a 
magnificent  basin,  filled  with  pretty  villages  and  fine 
farms ; thence  over  the  mountain  ridge  northward  to 
Imnaha  and  Wallowa,  at  that  time  called  " Immaha  ” and 
" Way-lee- way.”  From  this  locality  they  were  guided 
by  the  Indians  through  the  beautiful  region  lying  between 
Dayton,  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  Wallula,  which  we  now 
commonly  name  " The  Walla-Walla  Country.”  One 
may,  to-day,  stand  in  midsummer  on  a spur  of  the  Blue 
Mountains  and  behold  at  a glance  fifty  square  miles  of 
rounded  hills  and  graceful  valleys,  covered  with  waving 


6 


IvEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


grain.  It  is  this  country  — a strip  fifty  miles  broad, 
following  the  windings  of  the  Snake  from  the  Powder 
River  to  the  Columbia  Valley  — that  was  occupied  in 
early  times  by  the  Nez  Perces ; or,  more  accurately,  by 
that  portion  of  them  usually  designated  as  " the  lower 
Nez  Perces.”  It  was  mainly  the  controversy  concerning 
this  rough  region  that  caused  the  recent  outbreak. 

In  early  years  the  lower  Nez  Perces  were  much  more 
numerous  than  now.  They  lived  along  the  Snake  River, 
above  and  below  the  mouth  of  the  Grande  Ronde,  a 
stream  of  curious  windings  from  the  noisy  waterfall  in 
the  Blue  Ridge  to  the  grand  circular  flow  that  embraces 
the  villages  and  cultivated  fields  of  eastern  Oregon,  and 
on  to  the  immense  foaming  torrent  that  rolls  through  the 
rough  valleys  of  Wallowa  and  pitches  down  the  terminat- 
ing canyon  into  the  larger  Snake. 

When  Mr.  Spalding,  a remarkable  Protestant  mis- 
sionary, whose  name  is  to-day  a household  word  with 
the  Christians  of  the  tribe,  came,  in  1836,  to  the  Nez 
Perces,  Old  Joseph  and  his  band  were  induced  to  cross 
over  to  the  mouth  of  the  Snake,  and  settle  for  a time  near 
the  Lapwai,  to  cultivate  a small  farm  there,  and  send  their 
children  to  Mi’s.  Spalding’s  school.  The  sudden  massa- 
cre of  Dr.  Whitman  and  his  family,  by  the  Cay  uses,  in 
1847,  caused  the  Spaldings  to  leave  the  country  in  haste. 

At  that  time  a rival  chief,  " Big  Thunder,”  succeeded  in 
displacing  Old  Joseph’s  band  by  the  usual  cry,  " This  is  not 
your  country.  Go  back  to  Irnnaha  and  Wallowa,  where 
you  belong.”  Thereupon  the  old  man,  doubtless  cha- 
grined by  the  selfish  conduct  of  the  other  bands,  and  dis- 
appointed by  the  sudden  departure  of  the  white  people 


THE  UPPER  NEZ  PERCES 


7 


whom  he  had  trusted,  returned  to  the  Wallowa  region. 
Thenceforth  his  band  seems  to  have  resumed  with  a will 
all  the  old  superstitions  of  the  tribe,  and  added  new  ones. 
The  counsel  he  gave  his  children  was,  " Be  at  peace  if 
you  can,  but  never  trust  the  white  men  nor  their  red 
friends.  Baise  ponies,  eat  things  that  grow  of  them- 
selves, and  go  and  come  as  you  please.” 

The  main  tribe,  " the  Upper  Xez  Perces,”  occupied  the 
Lapwai,  from  which  we  have  seen  that  Old  Joseph  was 
driven  in  1847.  With  these  the  government  has  had 
most  to  do  in  times  past.  With  these  Governor  Stevens 
made  his  celebrated  treaty  of  1855,  to  which  Old  Joseph 
gave  his  assent ; and  well  he  might  assent  to  this  the  first 
treaty,  for  it  embraced  in  its  established  boundaries  all 
his  lands,  and  allowed  him  and  his  people  to  live  in  the 
same  place,  and  in  the  same  manner,  as  the  Lower  Nez 
Perces  had  lived  for  generations.  Therefore  we  are  not 
surprised  to  find  his  name  appended  to  an  instrument 
which  in  itself  was  not  inequitable,  but  which  was  pre- 
liminary to  the  usual  course  of  dispossessing  the  Indians 
of  the  property  and  rights  which  they  claimed. 


8 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  n. 

JOSEPH’S  YOUTH.  — HIS  EARLY  ADVANTAGES. — THE  CHAR- 
ACTER OF  HIS  PEOPLE.  —HOW  THEY  LOOKED  AND  WHAT 
THEY  DID  IN  THE  DECADE  FROM  1836. 

rPHE  missionary,  Mr.  Spalding,  was  a brave  man,  and 
JL  his  excellent  wife  was  the  embodiment  of  Christian 
sweetness,  self-sacrifice,  and  devotion. 

He  planted  his  mission  among  the  Nez  Perces  on  the 
Lapwai  in  1836,  and  he  remained  there,  more  than  a 
hundred  miles  from  the  nearest  settlements,  cut  off  from 
all  association  with  white  men,  for  eleven  years. 

The  Indians  trusted  him,  loved  him,  and  even  now  the 
old  men  never  tire  of  talking  of  his  instruction,  and  of 
the  messages  he  sent  them  just  before  his  death. 

At  one  of  my  visits  to  Lapwai  an  old  Indian,  short 
and  dumpy,  dim-eyed  and  shrivelled  in  appearance,  sat 
on  a box  in  the  back  office  of  the  agent,  and  through  the 
interpreter  talked  to  me  for  an  hour  of  these  early  times, 
and  of  the  Spalding  family.  He  was  the  father-in-law  of 
Young  Joseph.  He  said  in  substance  : " I was  a wild  boy, 
like  the  boys  of  the  Dreamers.  My  father  hunted  the 
buffalo  far  away.  The  squaws  planted  the  little  patches, 
the  boys  fished  for  salmon  in  the  rivers,  and  rode  the 
ponies ; we  were  all  just  like  the  other  wild  Indians. 
Sometimes  we  were  fighting  the  Blackfeet  and  the  Snakes. 
Mr.  Spalding  came.  He  made  the  men  work.  We  said  : 


Joseph’s  youth. 


9 


'You  make  squaws  of  us  ! ’”  He  kept  on.  "A  few  In- 
dians used  the  koe — then  more  and  more.  His  klootch- 
man  (Mrs.  Spalding)  had  a big  school  — many,  many 
tilicums  (grown  people)  went.  It  was  not  a little  school 
like  that  one  there  (pointing  to  the  school  building). 
There  were  many  children.  Old  Joseph’s  band  was  here 
then.  His  children  went  to  the  school.” 

"But  Young  Joseph  and  Ollicut  would  be  too  young ! ” 
I suggested. 

" Yes,  they  were  little,  but  they  went  to  the  school.” 

Allowing  Young  Joseph  to  have  been  thirty-seven  at 
the  time  of  the  war  he  would  have  been  seven  years  of 
age  at  the  time  of  Old  Joseph’s  return  to  Imnaha  from 
Lapwai.  From  this  it  will  appear  that  the  boys  learned 
very  little  from  books.  Neither  spoke  more  than  a few 
words  of  English  when  I met  them,  though  I believe  they 
understood  English  much  better  than  they  pretended. 

The  missionary’s  letters  give  us  a few  openings  through 
which  we  may  obtain  glimpses, — the  shadows  of  the 
faithful  workers  in  this  beautiful  Lapwai  valley,  toiling 
on,  planting  much,  and  seeing  little  fruit  from  the  seeds 
of  knowledge  which  they  scattered  in  this  untoward  soil. 
He  says  : " I was  located  at  this  place  on  the  Clearwater 
or  Ivoos-koos-ky  River.”  The  Lapwai  is  a small  stream 
that  flows  westward  and  empties  into  the  Clearwater.  In 
1839,  besides  this  station,  where  was  the  school  of  Mrs. 
Spalding,  there  was  another,  about  sixty-five  miles  dis- 
tant, among  the  Nez  Perces  at  Kamiah. 

In  1844  he  writes:  "The  assembly  on  the  Sabbath,  at 
Lapwai,  varies  at  different  seasons  of  the  year,  and  must 
continue  to  do  so  until  the  people  find  a substitute  in  the 


10 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


fruits  of  the  earth  and  herds ; for  their  roots,  game, 
and  fish  necessarily  require  much  wandering.  I am 
happy  to  say  that  they  are  very  generally  turning  their 
attention,  with  apparent  eagerness,  to  cultivating  the  soil 
and  raising  hogs  and  cattle,  and  find  a much  more  abun- 
dant and  agreeable  source  of  subsistence  in  the  hoe  than 
in  their  bows,  and  sticks  for  digging  roots.” 

In  another  place  an  exhibit  is  given  of  their  nomadic 
ways. 

" For  a few  weeks  in  the  fall,  after  the  people  return 
from  their  buffalo  hunts,  and  then  again  in  the  spring, 
the  congregation  numbers  from  one  to  two  thousand. 
Through  the  winter  it  numbers  from  two  to  eight  hun- 
dred. From  July  to  the  first  of  October  it  varies  from 
two  to  five  hundred.” 

This  gathering,  as  well  as  the  school,  increased  every 
winter,  as  the  quantity  of  provisions  raised  in  this  vicin- 
ity increased. 

How  true  is  the  following  sentiment  of  this  grand  old 
pioneer  of  civilization ! and  how  long  it  has  taken  the 
conductors  of  Indian  affairs  to  learn  the  lesson ! He 
says  : " My  earliest  attention  was  turned  toward  schools, 
as  promising  the  most  permanent  good  to  the  nation.” 

" Besides  eating  my  own  bread,  produced  by  the  sweat 
of  my  brow,”  (quite  different  from  some  modern  laborers 
in  the  Indian  vineyard,)  "there  were  the  wandering  chil- 
dren, of  a necessarily  wandering  people,  to  collect  and 
bring  permanently  within  the  reach  of  the  school.  Over 
this  department  of  labor  hung  the  darkest  cloud,  as  the 
Indian  is  noted  for  despising  manual  labor ; but  I would 
acknowledge  with  humble  gratitude  the  interposition  of  that 


HIS  EARLY  ADVANTAGES. 


11 


Hand  which  holds  the  hearts  of  all  men.  The  hoe  soon 
brought  light,  hope,  and  satisfaction,  the  fruits  of  which 
are  yearly  becoming  much  more  than  a substitute  for  their 
former  precarious  game  and  roots,  and  are  much  preferred 
by  the  people  who  are  coming  in  from  the  mountains  and 
plains,  calling  for  hoes,  ploughs,  and  seeds,  much  faster 
than  they  can  be  supplied,  and  collecting  around  the  sta- 
tion in  increasing  numbers,  to  cultivate  their  little  farms  ; 
so  furnishing  a permanent  school  and  congregation  on  the 
Sabbath  from  four  to  eight  months,  and,  as  the  farms  are 
enlarged,  giving  food  and  employment  for  the  year.  . . . 
That  the  men  of  the  nation  (the  chiefs  not  excepted)  rose 
up  to  labor  when  a few  hoes  and  seeds  were  offered  them, 
I can  attribute  to  nothing  but  the  unseen  hand  of  the  God 
of  missions.  That  their  habits  are  really  changed  is  ac- 
knowledged by  themselves.  The  men  say  that  whereas 
they  once  did  not  labor  with  their  hands,  now  they  do  ; 
and  often  tell  me,  in  jesting,  that  I have  converted  them 
into  a nation  of  women.” 

Not  long  after  this  the  school  plans  were  put  into  exe- 
cution, and  we  get  another  glimpse  of  progress  : " It  [the 
school]  now  numbers  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  in 
daily  attendance,  half  of  whom  are  adults.  Nearly  all  the 
principal  men  and  chiefs  in  this  vicinity,  with  one  chief 
from  a neighboring  tribe,  are  members  of  the  school.  . . . 
They  are  as  industrious  in  school  as  they  are  on  their 
farms.  Their  improvement  is  astonishing,  considering 
their  crowded  condition,  and  only  Mrs.  Spalding,  with 
her  delicate  constitution,  and  her  family  cares,  for  their 
teacher.  About  one  hundred  are  printing  their  own 
books  with  a pen.  This  keeps  up  a deep  interest,  as 


12 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


they  daily  have  new  lessons  to  print,  and  what  they  print 
must  be  committed  to  memory  as  soon  as  possible.  A 
good  number  are  now  so  far  advanced  in  reading  and 
printing  as  to  render  much  assistance  in  teaching.  Their 
books  are  taken  home  at  night,  and  every  lodge  becomes 
a school-room.”  And  the  farming  was  not  behind  the 
school. 

" Last  season  about  one  hundred  and  forty  cultivated 
from  one-fourth  of  an  acre  to  four  or  live  acres  each.  . . 

One  chief  raised  one  hundred  and  seventy-six  bushels  of 
peas,  one  hundred  of  corn,  and  four  hundred  of  potatoes. 
Another,  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  peas,  one  hundred  and 
sixty  of  corn,  a large  quantity  of  potatoes,  vegetables,  &c. 
Ellis,  I believe,  raised  more  than  either  of  the  above  men- 
tioned. Some  forty  other  individuals  raised  from  twenty 
to  one  hundred  bushels  of  grain.  Eight  individuals  are 
furnished  with  ploughs.  Thirty-two  head  of  cattle  are 
possessed  by  thirteen  individuals ; ten  sheep  by  four.” 

These  are  facts  and  figures  which  speak  for  themselves, 
and  reinforce  what  our  noble  Bishop  Whipple  says  of 
Indian  missions;  viz. , that  they  are  the  most  remuner- 
ative, where  there  is  faithful  labor,  of  any  missions  among 
heathen  people.  I will  venture  another  extract  from  this 
remarkable  letter — remarkable,  indeed,  for  the  writer 
was  thought  to  be  in  the  very  centre  of  Egyptian  dark- 
ness ; at  any  rate,  far  remote  from  a sign  of  civilization, 
except  what  he  and  a few  other  devoted  souls  were  then 
planting.  The  extract  concerns  the  moral  character  of 
the  Nez  Perces,  as  it  then  appeared  to  him.  He  says  : 

" On  this  point  there  is  a great  diversity  of  opinion. 
One  writer  styles  them  more  a nation  of  saints  than  of 


CHARACTER  OF  HIS  PEOPLE. 


13 


savages  ; and  if  their  refusing  to  move  camp  for  game,  at 
his  suggestion,  on  a certain  day,  reminded  him  that  the 
Sabbath  extended  as  far  west  as  the  Rocky  Mountains,  he 
might  well  consider  them  such.  Another  styles  them 
supremely  selfish,  which  is  nearer  the  truth,  for,  without 
doubt,  they  are  the  descendants  of  Adam.”  Thus  Mr. 
Spalding  finds  a " dark  side,”  but  he  remarks  kindly  : 

" I must,  however,  confess  that  when  I attempt  to 
name  it,  and  hold  it  up  as  a marked  exception  to  a nation 
in  similar  circumstances,  without  the  restraint  of  whole- 
some laws,  and  strangers  to  the  heaven-born  privileges  of 
enlightened  and  well-regulated  society,  I am  not  able  to 
do  it.  Faults  they  have,  and  very  grave  ones ; yet  few 
of  them  seem  disposed  to  break  the  Sabbath  by  travelling 
and  other  secular  business.” 

The  Apaches  said  to  me,  "Apache  no  Domingo  i.  e. , 
the  Apache  has  no  Sabbath.  The  Nez  Perces  were  better 
taught.  "A  very  few  indulge  in  something  like  profane 
swearing.  Very  few  are  superstitiously  attached  to  their 
medicine-men,  who  are,  without  doubt,  sorcerers.  . . . 
Lying  is  very  common,  thieving  comparatively  rare ; 
much  gambling  among  the  young  men ; quarrelling  and 
fighting  quite  rare  ; habit  of  taking  back  property  after  it 
has  been  sold  is  a practice  quite  common,  and  very  evil 
in  its  tendency.” 

This  is  quite  a favorable  showing  to  human  nature.  I 
fear  some  villages  of  white  men,  say  in  Italy  or  Mexico, 
or  even  in  Canada,  would  hardly  exceed  this  standard. 

I love  to  contemplate  these  wonderful  beginnings,  and 
to  trace  the  abundant  and  happy  results  which  have 
flowed  from  them. 


14 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


In  spite  of  the  non-fulfilment  of  our  treaty  obligations 
to  give  the  Nez  Perces  land  that  they  could  rely  upon  as 
their  own,  and  to  protect  them  in  their  occupation  and 
title ; in  spite  of  the  hurricane  brought  upon  them  by  the 
Cay  use  and  other  wars,  and  the  withdrawal  of  aid  and 
instruction  for  years  ; in  spite  of  the  plunderings  of  men, 
who,  among  other  knaveries,  drew  five  thousand  dollars 
from  the  government  to  build  them  a school-house,  and 
built  them  one  worth  less  than  three  hundred ; in  spite 
of  our  shrewd  Yankee  ability,  which  has  found  mines  of 
gold  and  silver  within  their  boundaries,  and  has  cut  down 
their  territory  to  one-sixth  of  the  generous  limits  marked 
out  by  Governor  Stevens ; in  spite  of  all  this  hardship, 
and  of  this  wrong-doing  to  a people  just  beginning  to 
bear  the  ignominy  (to  them)  of  manual  labor,  — still  they 
have  kept  on  in  the  path  in  which  they  were  started  by 
the  worthy,  self-sacrificing  missionary.  I mean,  of  course, 
the  Christian,  friendly  Nez  Perces,  comprising  two-thirds 
and  more  of  these  Indians,  now  and  all  these  years 
remaining  contentedly  on  their  present  reserve. 

It  was  amid  these  influences  that  Joseph  and  Ollicut 
spent  the  first  few  years  of  their  lives.  They  also  made 
frequent  visits  to  Lapwai  afterwards ; and  in  later  years 
sometimes  they  helped  their  father-in-law  on  his  farm : so 
that,  though  they  had  imbibed  the  spirit  of  their  mother, 
and  were,  doubtless,  much  affected  by  the  recital  of  the 
wrongs  of  their  father,  and  subsequently  had  been  deeply 
influenced  by  Indian  dreamings  and  superstition,  still  it 
is  evident  that  the  remarkable  knowledge  they  afterwards 
displayed  had  here  its  abundant  source. 

In  following  the  subsequent  career  of  these  young  men, 


HIS  NATIVE  ABILITY. 


15 


wicked  and  disastrous  as  it  was,  one  cannot  help  ruminat- 
ing upon  the  old  problem,  which  suggests  itself  of  every 
failing  genius,  i.  e.,  "what  might  have  been,”  the  grand 
possibilities  in  these  superior  natures.  But  the  rule  is 
as  lixed  as  the  stars,  that  the  sins  of  the  fathers  shall  be 
visited  upon  the  children  unto  the  third  and  fourth  gen- 
erations of  the  men  who  hate  God. 

Smart  as  these  youths  were,  their  tendency  to  evil,  like 
that  of  Lochiel  and  Glengarry,  was  undoubtedly  inher- 
ited. While  we  abhor  their  crimes,  and  shudder  at  the 
horrid  outrages  which  their  people,  as  bad  as  the  barba- 
rous Celts,  have  committed,  we  nevertheless  admire  their 
wild  courage,  and  cannot  help  wondering  at  their  native 
ability.  With  them,  as  with  the  Highland  leaders  when 
the  madness  was  on  them,  it  meant  war.  It  was  hate 
and  destruction  in  every  form.  The  refinements  of  war 
they  had  never  learned.  Perhaps,  with  General  Sherman, 
Joseph  might  say,  "War  is  cruel,  and  it  is  difficult  to 
refine  it.”  Certainly  the  Indians’  attempts  to  do  so  were 
very  few. 


16 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  III. 

JOSEPH’S  CONFEDERATES.  — HOW  THEY  LOOKED  IN  EARLIER 
TIMES.  — THE  “ TREATY  ” AND  “ NON-TREATY  ” INDIANS. 

IT  is  difficult  to  explain  the  almost  uniform  injustice 
which  the  American  people  have  practised  toward 
the  Indians.  I do  not  believe  that  we  are  worse  than  the 
French,  the  Spanish,  or  than  our  English  neighbors  in 
British  Columbia,  though  surely  we  can  nearly  match  the 
massacre  of  St.  Bartholomew,  the  cruelties  of  the  Inqui- 
sition, or  the  ferocity  of  London  rioters,  in  our  dealings 
Avith  the  red  men.  I am  inclined  to  believe  the  jar  to  be  in 
our  unadjustable  system,  which,  like  a machine  built  upon 
a springy  soil,  is  perpetually  out  of  gear.  Our  fathers, 
finding  the  Indians  here,  and  being  disposed  to  peace, 
first  recognized  in  them  the  right  of  occupancy  of  the 
lands.  This  recognized  right  the  Indians  have  always 
misunderstood.  They  have  believed  it  to  mean  much 
moi'e  than  simple  occupancy. 

As  our  new  settlements  have  rapidly  extended  we  have 
entered  into,  and  recorded,  solemn  treaties,  by  Avhich 
Ave  have  made  of  the  numerous  small  tribes  so  many 
nations. 

Soon  the  national  and  local  laAvs,  Avhich  are  constantly 
in  conflict  Avith  the  laws  of  these  independent  nations,  go 
into  active,  and  often  antagonistic,  operation.  For  ex- 
ample : the  settler,  in  carrying  out  the  homestead  laAV, 


CAUSE  OF  DIVISION-  OF  TRIBE. 


17 


plants  his  stakes  on  the  Indian’s  farm.  A petty  contest 
results.  An  Indian  or  a white  man  is  killed.  Close  upon 
this  follows  a horrid  Indian  war  — a war  so  outrageous 

O 

that  bona  fide  forgiveness,  anywhere  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  remembered  crimes,  seldom,  if  ever,  succeeds. 

This  is  substantially  the  history  of  a portion  of  the 
Nez  Perces. 

Governor  Stevens  came  to  them  in  1855,  and  settled 
the  grand  and  liberal  treaty  which  bears  his  name,  and 
which  was  confirmed  by  the  United  States  Senate.  It 
prescribed  for  them  limits,  but  limits  so  ample  that  even 
" Old  Joseph,”  who  was  always  tenacious  of  " Indian 
rights,”  agreed  to  the  stipulations.  It  included  all  the 
country  that  they  occupied  when  Captain  Bonneville 
found  them,  in  1833,  embracing  the  Lapwai,  the  Imnaha, 
the  "Wallowa,  and  the  Grande  Ronde  country.  Was  it 
possible  to  preserve  these  extended  limits  in  face  of  the 
constant  flood  of  immigration?  Certainly  it  was  not 
done.  In  1863  the  negotiation  of  another  treaty  had  to 
be  attempted.  The  new  treaty  finally  agreed  upon  ex- 
cluded the  Wallowa,  and  vast  regions  besides.  It  did 
much  more  than  simply  reduce  the  limits  of  the  reserve. 
It  made  a breach  in  the  tribe,  that  was  never  to  be  closed. 
It  divided  the  Indians  who  had  sent  delegates  across  the 
continent  to  visit  our  fathers  and*  to  solicit  an  increase  of 
knowledge,  into  two  great  and  hostile  factions.  One 
party  agreed  to  all  the  terms  of  the  instrument,  and 
stayed  within  the  boundaries  fixed,  and  have  always 
called  themselves  "treaty  Indians.”  The  other  persist- 
ently refused  to  accept  the  new  limits,  and  were  denomi- 
nated the  " non- treaties.”  All  the  dissenting  bands, 
2 


18 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


except  that  of  the  sub-chief  Looking-glass,  have  pitched 
their  lodges  outside  of  the  present  Lapwai  reservation. 

We  have  already  noticed  the  home  of  Old  Joseph  and 
his  band,  south  of  the  Snake.  It  is  now  important  to  fix 
in  mind  the  other  bands  of  " non-treaties  ” who  became 
the  confederates  of  Joseph’s  band,  in  peace  and  in  war,  to 
resist  efforts  of  the  white  man  to  displace  them,  or  change 
their  mode  of  life. 

The  principal  " non-treaty  ” chief,  who  often  disputed 
with  Joseph  the  command  of  the  united  forces,  was  White 
Bird.  He  and  his  band  roamed  over  that  rough,  moun- 
tainous territory,  along  the  Salmon  River,  and  its  tribu- 
taries. They  had  no  permanent  abiding-place.  One 
deep  valley,  now  well-known  from  the  terriblo  battle 
fought  there,  is  named  the  White-Bird  Canyon.  The 
small  stream  that  flows  through  it,  and  empties  into  the 
foaming  Salmon,  is  also  named  White  Bird. 

There  was,  also,  a band  which  roamed  between  the 
Salmon  and  the  Snake,  over  that  wild  country  that  be- 
came Joseph’s  hiding-place  during  the  war.  It  is  a fast- 
ness resembling  those  of  the  Scottish  Highlands,  where 
the  mountain  clans  held  out  so  often  against  all  efforts  of 
English  troops  to  dislodge  them.  Tho  chief  of  this  band, 
since  my  acquaintance  with  it,  was  Too-hul-hul-Sote.  He 
was  a cross-grained  growler,  — a sort  of  sub-chief  to 
White  Bird,  and  a " Dreamer  drummer,”  called  by  the 
Indians  a Too-at. 

Again,  south  of  the  Snake,  not  far  above  the  mouth 
of  the  Grande  Ronde,  is  the  Ashotin  creek.  Here,  too, 
was  a small  band,  which  always  acted  in  concert  with 
Joseph’s  people. 


FRIENDLY  NEZ  PERCES. 


10 


The  remaining  bands  of  malcontents  were  situated  to 
the  westward,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  reservation, 
and  hunted  through  the  region  south  of  Lewiston.  They 
acknowledged  Hush-hush-cute  as  leader,  — a wily  chief- 
tain, about  the  age  of  Young  Joseph.  It  could  be  said 
of  him,  in  the  words  of  Scripture,  his  heart  was  deceit- 
ful above  all  tilings  and  desperately  wicked. 

Now,  there  were,  on  the  present  reservation,  a large 
number  of  the  friendly  Nez  Perces,  the  most  of  whom 
remained  true  throughout  all  changes,  and  some  of  whom 
helped  us  during  the  conflict ; namely,  the  present  head- 
chief,  James  Lawyer,  and  his  people,  mainly  located  at 
Kamiah,  on  the  Clearwater,  seventy  miles  from  Lewis- 
ton ; the  sub-chief,  Jonah  ; James  Reuben,  the  son  of  the 
late  head-chief,  and  their  people,  located  on  the  Lapwai, 
and  near  the  Nez  Perces  Agency ; also  Catholic  Indians, 
situated  eight  miles  from  the  agency,  on  the  Little  Mis- 
sion Creek,  who  dwell,  habitually,  in  their  small  log- 
village,  near  their  church.  The  whole  number  of  these 
friendly  Indians  has  been  rated  from  two  to  three  thou- 
sand. A recent  census  lessens  the  number.  But  the 
count,  which  was  attempted  by  a half-breed  during  the 
war,  could  hardly  be  reliable.  The  Indians,  at  times, 
were  much  afraid  that  Joseph  and  his  warriors  would 
suddenly  return  and  exterminate  them ; therefore  they 
indulged  their  wandering  propensities.  Some  went  away 
among  the  Coeur  D’Alenes,  the  Spokanes,  Cayuses,  and 
other  neighboring  tribes,  and  many  doubtless  took  up 
new  camping-grounds,  where  they  thought  they  would 
be  safe  from  distrustful  white  men,  and  from  the  hos- 
tile bands  who  might  beat  the  troops,  and  suddenly 


20 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


return  to  do  them  mischief.  Probably  there  are  in 
existence  at  least  two  thousand  friendly  Nez  Perces. 

The  " non-treaties,”  after  they  were  finally  separated 
from  the  others,  and  arrayed  against  us  as  enemies,  were, 
as  I estimate  them,  about  seven  hundred,  men,  women, 
and  children.  Perhaps  more.  There  were  at  least  three 
hundred  and  twenty-five  warriors  at  the  battle  of  the 
Clearwater.  * 

During  the  campaign  many  well-sketched  pictures  of 
scenes  connected  with  these  Indians  were  sent  to  illus- 
trated papers,  but,  as  published,  the  appearance  of  the 
Indians  themselves  was  misrepresented.  They  were  de- 
picted with  hair  flying  in  all  directions,  in  the  ordinary 
wild  Indian  style,  with  meagre  attire,  and  with  long 
lances  poised  above  their  heads.  They  do  not  so  appear 
in  fact.  They  carry  rifles,  not  lances.  The  friendly  Nez 
Perces  now  for  the  most  part  are  dressed  as  white  men  ; 
the  hair,  especially  of  those  at  Kamiah,  is  cut  short. 
This  gives  them  much  the  appearance  of  the  Mexican 
ranchers  who  live  along  our  southern  border.  The 
women  invariably  wear  long  skirts,  and  usually  crop 
their  straight,  jetty  hair  by  a square  cut  at  the  neck. 
The  shawl  is  habitually  drawn  up  over  the  head,  so  that 
one  has  to  be  in  front  to  see  a woman’s  face.  This,  too, 
is  like  the  Mexicans.  I have  noticed,  on  church,  council, 
and  gala  days,  that  bright  handkerchiefs  often  took  the 
place  of  bonnets,  shawls,  or  hats  as  head-gear.  The 

* The  unusual  proportion  of  men  over  women  and  children  is 
accounted  for  by  the  numerous  renegades  from  other  tribes,  who 
joined  Joseph  without  their  families  to  engage  in  a plundering 
warfare. 


NEZ  PERCE  WOMEN. 


21 


children  are  dressed  much  as  among  the  whites ; and 
though  often  in  some  fanciful  attire  they  are  for  the  most 
part  plainly  clad. 

An  old  account,  (Franelier’s,)  mentioning  the  "Pierced 
Noses  ” and  " Flat  Heads  ” as  early  as  1811,  says,  " They 
do  not  go  naked,  but  both  sexes  wear  habits  made  of 
dressed  deer  skin,  which  they  take  care  to  rub  with  chalk 
to  keep  them  clean  and  white.” 

The  Nez  Perces  of  to-day  take  pains  with  their  per- 
sonal attire,  as  they  did  forty  years  ago.  The  Christian 
portion  at  LapAvai  and  Kamiah,  as  they  gather  inside  and 
outside  their  church  buildings  on  Sundays,  present  a fine 
appearance. 

The  men  average  in  height  five  feet  eight,  are  strongly 
built,  and  always  show  grace  in  their  movements.  They 
are  so  constantly  on  horseback  that  they  seem  to  be 
almost  part  of  the  animal.  You  can  tell  them  at  great 
distances  by  the  ease  and  grace  of  the  arms,  as,  in  Indian 
style,  they  carry  the  whip  up  and  down.  This  is  quite 
in  contrast  with  the  angular,  jerky  motions  of  our  white 
couriers  and  hardy  frontiersmen. 

Their  women  are  usually  short  of  stature,  but  have 
bright,  intelligent  faces,  and  a healthy,  not  uncomely, 
appearance.  They  ride  as  well  as  the  men,  but  are  gen- 
erally perched  at  the  top  of  a load,  and,  usually,  each  has 
a child  in  arms,  or  one  clinging  behind. 


22 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  CAUSES  OF  WAR  WITH  THE  NON-TREATIES.  — THE  ATTI- 
TUDE OF  GOVERNOR  GROVER  AND  THE  CITIZENS. 

IT  is  sometimes  amusing,  and  sometimes  extremely  vex- 
atious, to  find  statements  which  have  been  many  times 
refuted  reappearing  in  important  publications. 

Alexander  Hamilton  said,  " Lies,  often  detected  and 
refuted,  are  still  revived  and  repeated,  in  the  hope  that 
the  refutation  may  have  been  forgotten,  or  that  the  fre- 
quency and  boldness  of  accusations  may  supply  the  place 
of  truth  and  proof.” 

•With  regard  to  the  Nez  Perces,  there  are  two  parties 
who  are  responsible  for  untruthful  statement,  the  ene- 
mies and  the  would-be  friends.  The  enemies  of  the  Nez 
Perces  who  are,  per  se,  the  enemies  of  all  Indians,  de- 
sired greatly  to  make  it  appear  that  the  " Treaty  ” and 
the  " Non-treaty,”  the  Protestant,  the  Catholic,  and  the 
Dreamers,  were  all  alike  bad.  They  argued  that  all 
should  be  treated  as  hostile ; that  the  worst  treachery 
lurked  behind  the  friendliest  looks.  The  cogent  reason 
given  for  this  opinion  was,  that  Indians  are  Indians! 

The  would-be  friends,  with  a view  of  defending  a peo- 
ple who  have  always  been  reputed  as  friendly,  have  striven 
to  represent  all  these  Indians  — friends  and  foes,  the  farm- 
ers of  Lapwai,  and  the  murderers  of  Camas  Prairie  — as 
aggressors,  whose  conduct  justified  a general  war.  So  it 


CAUSES  OF  THE  WAR. 


23 


is  constantly  asked,  " How  is  it  possible  that  Indians, 
always  so  well  disposed  as  the  Nez  Perces,  could  go  to 
war?”  Or,  the  statement  is  made,  " When  we  visited  the 
Nez  Perces,  a few  years  ago,  they  were  far  advanced  in 
civilization.  It  must  have  required  great  provocation  to 
induce  them  to  go  to  war.”  May  I ask  the  reader,  then, 
to  bear  in  mind  the  facts?  The  Christian  Nez  Perces,  in- 
cluding all  treaty  Indians,  both  Catholic  and  Protestant, 
constituting  a large  majority  of  the  entire  people,  have 
always  been,  are  now,  and  probably  will  continue  to  be, 
friends  of  the  government.  The  " non-treaty  Indians  ” 
— Joseph,  with  his  band  and  his  confederates,  whom  I 
have  already  described  — regarded  the  Nez  Perce  peo- 
ple proper  as  their  bitter  foes. 

A year  after  the  death  of  Old  Joseph  the  war  with  the 
Modoc  Indians,  and  the  treacherous  massacre  of  General 
Canby  by  them,  took  place.  As  is  always  the  case  in 
Indian  wars,  all  Indians,  far  and  near,  were  agitated  by 
this  outbreak.  The  " non-treaties,”  now  led  by  the  am- 
bitious young  chief,  Joseph,  became  suspiciously  restless. 
In  the  summer  of  1874  a delegation  of  citizens  came  from 
a hundred  miles  distant  to  Lapwai,  to  meet  General 
Davis,  the  then  department  commander,  who  had  just 
closed  the  Modoc  campaign.  The  delegation  alleged 
" That  the  Indians,  including  the  ' non-treaties,’  had  as- 
sembled in  large  numbers  in  Paradise  and  Hog-Heaven 
valleys,  ostensibly  for  the  purpose  of  digging  roots, 
hunting,  and  fishing,  and  that  they  were  talking  very 
saucily  to  the  settlers,  and  had  committed  various  tres- 
passes upon  the  farmers  of  the  country.”  The  troops 


24 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


were  sent  thither.  This,  for  a time,  put  an  end  to  the 
troubles,  and  probably  prevented  bloodshed. 

General  Davis  thought  the  moving  cause  of  the  rest- 
lessness and  sauciness  was  that  these  beautiful  and  fertile 
valleys  were  being  rapidly  occupied  by  an  industrious  and 
thrifty  class  of  white  farmers  and  stock- raisers.  In  his 
investigations  he  could  discover  no  other  cause. 

About  this  time,  several  " non-treaty  ” Nez  Perces 
had  assumed  an  attitude  of  insolence  toward  the  Indian 
agent  at  Lapwai,  Mr.  John  Monteith,  and  toward  the 
other  employees  of  the  government,  which  foreboded 
evil,  if  not  actual  hostilities. 

A large  gathering  of  Indians  was  soon  to  take  place, 
about  the  fourth  of  July,  at  the  Wee-ipe,  situated  east 
of  Kamiah.  It  is  a small  grassy  prairie,  surrounded  by 
forests  of  huge  firs,  whose  sombre  shadows  are  often 
deepened  by  contrast  with  successive  sunny  glades. 

Here  had  been  an  annual  assemblage  of  the  non-treaties. 
Many  other  Indians  came  to  participate  in  horse-races,  or 
to  win  or  lose  in  gambling  horses,  furs,  and  other  In- 
dian property. 

This  year  the  notice  circulated  was  for  a " talk,’’  and 
the  agent  was  curious  and  wished  to  be  present,  but  he 
thought  the  Indians  would  prevent  him,  unless  defended 
by  troops.  Therefore  the  troops,  Colonel  David  Perry 
and  his  company,  marched  some  two  hundred  miles  from 
Fort  Walla-Walla,  and  were  there  with  the  agent  for  a few 
days.  He  reasoned  that  if  the  Indians  met  for  pastime 
and  enjoyment,  the  troops  in  the  vicinity  would  not  hin- 
der, but  if  for  evil  purposes,  they  would  serve  as  the 
ounce  of  prevention. 


ATTITUDE  OF  THE  CITIZENS. 


25 


Colonel  Perry  and  agent  Monteith  found  the  Indians 
assembled  as  anticipated  at  the  Wee-ipe.  The  "talk  ” 
took  place,  but  like  the  old  congress  at  Philadelphia  it 
was  annoyed  and  constrained  by  the  presence  of  armed 
men.  It  proved  but  a brief  council.  General  dissatis- 
faction seemed  to  prevail  among  the  non-treaty  Nez  Per- 
ces.  This  was  particularly  the  case  with  Joseph’s  band, 
the  claimants  of  Wallowa  Valley. 

There  was  evidently,  thus  early,  some  mischief  hatching 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Joseph’s  lodge.  The  young  man 
was  yet  hardly  in  the  saddle  as  chief.  The  sentiment  of 
his  followers  and  of  his  neighbors  was  divided,  The 
wary,  cautious  malcontents  of  the  tribe  thought  they 
would  lose  by  a war.  They  counselled  a persistent  but 
peaceful  opposition  to  the  van  of  the  army  of  settlers 
now  approaching,  no  longer  from  the  East  but  from  the 
West  — from  the  Pacific.  The  young  men,  with  Ollieut 
at  their  head,  were  for  war.  During  the  same  year,  in  the 
fall  of  1874,  Colonel  John  Green,  an  officer  of  prudence 
and  experience  in  Indian  matters,  was  sent  to  Wallowa, 
with  two  cavalry  companies,  to  keep  the  peace.  The 
troops  did  keep  the  peace  as  long  as  these  Indians  were 
roaming  in  that  valley,  and  then  were  withdrawn  to  their 
posts. 

A summary  of  the  views  of  the  Governor  of  Oregon, 
the  Hon.  L.  F.  Grover,  expressed  in  a letter  to  the  United 
States  government,  written  in  July,  1873,  gives  the  opin- 
ion and  the  temper  of  the  majority  of  intelligent  citizens 
of  this  state. 

I.  He  opposes  the  withdrawal  of  citizens  from  Wallo- 
wa for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  same  to  Joseph’s  band. 


26 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


II.  He  recites  the  stipulations  of  Governor  Stevens’ 
treaty  of  1855,  which  includes  Wallowa,  to  which  Old 
Joseph  assented. 

III.  He  quotes  the  supplementary  treaty  of  1863,  to 
which  the  majority  of  the  Nez  Perces  assent,  but  which, 
the  minority  of  bands  refuse  to  sign.  The  new  treaty 
gives  Wallowa  back  to  the  United  States.  Old  Joseph 
and  all  the  " non-treaties  ” protest  against  this  action. 

After  Old  Joseph’s  death,  his  sons,  Joseph  and  Ollicut, 
lay  claim  to  the  same  Wallowa,  saying  that  the  Nez 
Perce  bands  are  independent,  and  not  bound  by  a ma- 
jority of  other  bands.  The  governor  argues  that  they 
must  be  so  bound,  according  to  all  law  and  precedents. 

IV.  He  cites  the  Act  of  Congress  of  May  28,  1867, 
by  which  the  lands  of  Wallowa  went  to  Oregon,  and  were 
open  for  settlement.  Eleven  townships  were  thus  formed. 
Eighty-seven  farms  are  entered  or  occupied  already. 
The  government  ought  now  to  consider  the  Indian  title 
extinct.  If  the  government  yields  to  the  claim  of  Joseph, 
it  will  be  obliged  to  yield  to  a score  more  of  just  such 
claims  in  this  neighborhood. 

Y.  The  governor  begs  for  the  uniform  policy  of  the 
United  States,  namely,  " of  removing  as  expeditiously  as 
circumstances  would  permit,  all  Indians  from  the  con- 
fines of  the  new  states.” 

The  country  to  which  Wallowa  Valley  is  the  key,  is 
greater  in  area  than  Massachusetts.  Its  restoration  to 
the  aboriginal  character  would  give  a serious  check  to 
frontier  civilization. 

VI.  Again  he  says : There  is  room  enough  for  the 
malcontents  on  the  Lapwai  reserve.  Joseph  himself  is 


ATTITUDE  OF  GOVERNOR  OROVER. 


27 


reported  ns  not  averse  to  this,  but  those  about  him  want 
to  roam,  and  will  not  give  up  their  nomadic  ways. 

Further,  Joseph’s  band  have  already  refused  Wallowa, 
as  a reservation,  for  a permanent  home.  They  simply 
want  the  possession  to  gratify  a wild,  roaming  disposi- 
tion. 

VII.  The  governor,  in  behalf  of  the  settlers  and  of 
the  state  of  Oregon,  urgently  presses  his  views,  and 
asks  that  the  preliminary  steps,  just  taken  by  the  gov- 
ernment in  the  interest  of  the  Indians,  for  the  white  set- 
tlers to  vacate  the  Wallowa  country,  be  rescinded. 

So  much  for  our  ideas  of  justice.  First,  we  acknowl- 
edge and  confirm  by  treaty  to  Indians  a sort  of  title  to 
vast  regions.  Afterward,  we  continue,  in  a strictly  legal 
manner,  to  do  away  with  both  the  substance  and  the 
shadow^  of  title.  Wiser  heads  than  Joseph’s  have  been 
puzzled  by  tliis  manner  of  balancing  the  scales. 


28 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  FIRST  INTERVIEW  WITH  JOSEPH. —CAUSES  OF  TROUBLE. 
— INDEPENDENCY.  — IMMIGRATION.  — AN  INDIAN  KILLED.— 
THE  WASHINGTON  COMMISSION.  — ITS  REPORT. 

MY  first  personal  interview  with  the  young  chieftain 
was  in  1875.  I had,  the  previous  September,  suc- 
ceeded to  the  command  of  the  Geographical  Department 
which  included  within  its  limits  the  Nez  Perces. 

To  better  acquaint  myself  with  my  command,  I soon 
visited  the  military  posts,  and  the  different  Indian  agen- 
cies. On  arriving  at  the  Umatilla  agency,  in  Eastern 
Oregon,  and  while  sitting  and  conversing  with  the  spright- 
ly. Frenchman  in  charge  of  the  office,  a Cay  use  Indian, 
accompanied  by  the  stout  interpreter  McBean,  came  in. 
The  latter  said : 

" Here  is  a messenger  from  Joseph.  He  and  ten  of  his 
Indians  are  at  Young  Chiefs  camp.  Joseph  and  his  tih- 
cums  want  to  have  a talk  with  the  agent,  and  with  the 
new  commander.” 

I had  already  heard  of  this  band,  so,  with  the  agent,  I 
expressed  a desire  for  the  interview.  The  messenger 
then  left. 

In  the  course  of  half  an  hour  the  eleven  strangers 
made  their  appearance.  They  were  all  quite  carefully 
dressed  in  Indian  costume.  They  were  noticeably  tall 
and  stout  for  Indians.  At  the  time,  I was  out  of  doors 


FIRST  INTERVIEW  WITH  JOSEPH. 


29 


with  the  agent,  looking  at  his  buildings.  The  Indians 
first  approached  in  single  file,  Young  Joseph  ahead.  One 
after  another  took  the  agent’s  hand,  and  then  mine,  in  the 
most  solemn  manner.  Joseph  put  his  large  black  eyes 
on  my  face,  and  maintained  a fixed  look  for  some  time. 
It  did  not  appear  to  me  as  an  audacious  stare  ; but  I 
thought  he  was  trying  to  open  the  windows  of  his  heart 
to  me,  and  at  the  same  time  endeavoring  to  read  my  dis- 
position and  character. 

An  Indian  is  usually  a shrewd  physiognomist.  I 
think  Joseph  and  I became  then  quite  good  friends. 
There  was  at  the  time  little  appearance  of  that  distrust 
and  deceit  which  some  time  afterward  very  strongly 
marked  his  face,  especially  while  listening  to  white  men 
in  council.  He  said  through  the  interpreter : 

"I  heal’d  that  Washington  had  some  messasre  forme. 
I came  to  visit  my  friends  among  the  Cayuses.  Young 
Chief  told  me  to  speak  to  the  agent.  That  is  all.” 

We  answered  : " There  is  no  word  from  Washington. 
We  are  glad  to  see  you  and  shake  you  by  the  hand.” 

The  Xez  Perces  then  formally  took  their  leave  and 
retired  in  company  with  other  Indians  of  the  Umatilla 
reservation. 

After  becoming  more  familiar  with  the  situation  of 
affairs  with  the  Xez  Perces,  I appreciated  the  drift  of  this 
visit,  and  of  the  question  concerning  news  from  Wash- 
ington. For  already,  General  Davis  had  reported  his 
belief  that  there  would  be  trouble  with  Joseph ; that 
there  was  restlessness ; that  his  dissatisfaction,  and  that 
of  others,  arose  because  these  beautiful  valleys  were  fill- 
ing up  by  industrious  settlers. 


30 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


The  governor  of  Oregon  had,  moreover,  succeeded  in 
getting  his  petition  heard,  and  by  the  President’s  order 
the  disputed  grounds  had  once  more  ceased  to  be  a 
reserve  for  Joseph.  Joseph  and  his  band,  and  his  " non- 
treaty ” confederates,  were  then  still  clinging  to  the  old  hab- 
its and  haunts,  and  pasturing  their  numerous  ponies  and 
herds  on  the  plains  of  Wallowa,  and  along  the  ridges  of 
the  tributaries  to  the  Salmon,  while  the  white  men  were 
crowding  into  the  Wallowa  and  Salmon  valleys,  and  erects 
ing  their  white  cottages,  and  stretching  out  their  crooked 
fences  in  plain  sight  of  the  wandering  Indian  herders. 

Now,  admitting  the  injustice  of  the  United  States  and 
of  Oregon  towards  this  band,  when  contrasted  with  the 
rights  and  privileges  extended  to  citizens,  still  I do  not 
think  the  real  cause  of  the  Indian  war  with  the  " non- 
treaties ” came  from  the  reduction  of  the  reserve,,  nor 
from  the  immediate  contact  with  immigrants,  and  the 
quarrels  that  sprung  therefrom.  These,  without  doubt, 
aggravated  the  difficulty. 

The  main  cause  lies  back  of  ideas  of  rightful  owner- 
ship, back  of  savage  habits  and  instincts;  it  lies  in  the 
natural  and  persistent  resistance  of  independent  nations 
to  the  authority  of  other  nations.  Indian  Joseph  and  his 
malcontents  denied  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States 
over  them.  They  were  offered  everything  they  wanted, 
if  they  would  simply  submit  to  the  authority  and  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  agents.  "No!  no!  no!  We 
will  go  where  we  please,  and  when  we  please,  and  do  as 
we  please  ! Who  gave  Washington  rule  over  me  ? ” asked 
the  growler  of  growlers,  old  Too-hul-hul-sote,  Joseph’s 
most  influential  confederate. 


CAUSES  OF  THE  TROUBLE. 


31 


My  first  report  was  made  in  1875.  On  this  subject  of 
" inherited  causes  ” of  trouble  are  the  following  para- 
graphs : 

” Early  in  July  the  Indian  agent  at  Lapwai  reported 
the  receipt  of  an  executive  order,  opening  Wallowa  Val- 
ley, in  north-eastern  Oregon,  to  settlement  by  whites, 
and  expressed  fear  of  trouble  between  the  whites  and 
Indians,  — Joseph’s  band  of  the  Nez  Perces,  claimants  of 
this  valley,  — especially  in  their  annual  visit  to  the  valley 
for  the  purposes  of  fishing,  and  grazing  their  ponies,  of 
which  they  have  large  herds,  wherein  consists  their  prin- 
cipal wealth. 

" Two  cavalry  companies  were  accordingly  sent  for  the 
mutual  protection  of  the  citizens  and  Indians  in  the  val- 
ley, and  for  the  preservation  of  the  peace.  These  returned 
as  soon  as  their  need  there  ceased. 

" The  troubles  at  Lapwai,  and  at  Wallowa  Valley,  have 
not  thus  far  resulted  in  bloodshed ; but  it  has  been  pre- 
vented by  great  carefulness  on  the  part  of  government 
agents.  The  courts  will  have  to  settle  the  former,  [they 
have  done  so  since  this  reference,]  and  congress  the  lat- 
ter, trouble.  I think  it  a great  mistake  to  take  from 
Joseph  and  his  band  of  Nez  Perces  Indians  that  valley ; 
. . . and  possibly  congress  can  be  induced  to  let  these 
really  peaceable  Indians  have  this  poor  valley  for  their 
own.” 

Now  we  can  see  how  much  expense  in  blood  and  treas- 
ure would  most  probably  have  been  saved  if  this  course 
had  been  pursued,  — for  this  was  before  an  Indian  had 
been  killed,  — yet,  with  the  idea  of  absolute  independence 
in  their  brains  I now  doubt  if  Wallowa  would  have  satis- 


32 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


tied  them.  It  certainly  would  have  contributed  nothing’ 
whatever  to  quieting  White  Bird,  Looking-glass,  Hush- 
hush-cute,  and  other  malcontents  outside  of  Joseph’s 
people. 

In  my  report.,  in  1876,  concerning  Joseph’s  people  I 
said  : "An  Indian  was  killed  by  a white  man  in  a dispute 
concerning  some  stock ; ” and  these  solicitous  words  were 
used  : "And  I renew  my  recommendation  of  a commission 
to  hear  and  settle  the  whole  matter  before  war  is  even 
thought  of.”  The  commission  was  at  last  ordered  ; but  it 
was  not  till  after  blood  had  been  shed,  nor  till  after  the 
Indians  had  stood  up  in  battle  array  against  armed  citi- 
zens in  Wallowa,  and  only  stopped  resistance  at  the  inter- 
vention of  troops.  The  commission  came,  and  held  its 
memorable  sessions  at  Lapwai,  in  November,  1876,  and 
labored  long  and  earnestly  to  get  the  consent  of  Joseph 
and  Ollicut,  and  of  other  disaffected  non-treaty  Indians, 
to  some  measures  of  adjustment. 

At  one  time  during  their  meetings  Joseph  was  almost 
persuaded  to  yield,  and  Ollicut  appeared  to  catch  the 
spirit  of  peace  ; but  the  old  Dreamers,  the  too-ats,  talked 
to  them  earnestly,  and  prevailed  against  the  commission. 

The  commission  state  the  matter  clearly  and  plainly. 

The  Dreamers,  among  other  pernicious  doctrines,  teach 
that  the  earth,  being  created  by  God  complete,  should 
not  be  disturbed  by  man,  and  that  any  cultivation  of  the 
soil,  or  other  improvements,  to  interfere  with  its  natural 
productions,  — any  improvements  in  the  way  of  schools, 
churches,  &c.,  — are  crimes  from  which  they  shrink. 

This  fanatacism  is  kept  alive  by  the  superstition  of 
these  " dreamers,”  who  industriously  teach,  that,  if  they 


THE  WASHINGTON  COMMISSION. 


33 


continue  steadfast  in  their  present  belief,  a leader  will  be 
raised  up  in  the  east,  who  Avill  restore  all  the  dead  Indians 
to  life,  who  will  unite  with  them  in  expelling  the  whites 
from  their  country,  when  they  will  again  enter  upon  and 
repossess  the  lands  of  their  ancestors. 

Influenced  by  such  a belief  Joseph  and  his  band  firmly 
declined  to  enter  into  any  negotiations,  or  make  any 
arrangements,  that  looked  to  a final  settlement  of  the 
questions  pending  between  him  and  the  government. 
While  the  commission  give  all  due  respect  to  the  prece- 
dents and  authorities  in  the  government  dealing  with 
Indians,  and  to  the  decisions  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  United  States,  which  recognizes  an  undefined  right 
of  occupancy  by  Indians  to  large  sections  of  the  country, 
yet  in  view  of  the  fact  that  these  Indians  do  not  claim 
simply  this,  but  set  up  an  absolute  title  to  the  lands,  an 
absolute  and  independent  sovereignty , and  refuse  even  to 
be  limited  in  their  claim  and  control,  necessity,  humanity, 
and  good  sense  constrain  the  government  to  set  metes  and 
bounds,  and  give  regulations  to  these  "non-treaty”  In- 
dians. . . . And  if  the  principle  usually  applied  by  the 
government,  of  holding  that  the  Indians  with  whom  they 
have  treaties  are  bound  by  the  majority,  is  here  applied, 
Joseph  should  be  required  to  live  within  the  limits  of  the 
present  reservation.  . . . 

If  these  Indians  overrun  lands  belonging  to  the  whites, 
and  commit  depredations  on  their  property,  disturb  the 
peace  by  threats  or  otherwise,  or  commit  any  other  overt 
acts  of  hostility,  Ave  recommend  the  employment  of  suf- 
ficient force  to  bring  them  into  subjection,  and  to  place 
them  upon  the  Nez  Perces  reservation. 

3 


34 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


The  Indian  agent  at  Lapwai  should  be  fully  instructed 
to  carry  into  execution  these  suggestions,  relying  at  all 
times  upon  the  department  commander  for  aid  when 
necessary. 

The  doings  of  the  commission,  approved  at  Washing- 
ton, resulted  in  all  the  preliminary  acts  of  the  govern- 
ment that  preceded  the  outbreak.  Every  possible  effort 
of  the  agent  was  exerted  to  carry  out  the  recommenda- 
tions of  the  commission  without  provoking  hostilities. 
But  as  a time  comes  when  an  ulcer  will  break,  so  the 
time  came  when  the  Indian  sore  had  to  come  to  the 
surface. 


AGENT  MONTEITH  AND  JOSEPH. 


35 


CHAPTER  VI. 

JOSEPH’S  OWN  BAND.— AGENT  MONTEITH  SENT  TO  JOSEPH. 
— THE  TALK  AT  UMATILLA.  — OLLICUT,  OR  YOUNG  JOSEPH, 
DESCRIBED. —CAPTAIN  BOYLE’S  MISTAKE.  — WALLA-WALLA 
TALK.  — INCIDENTS  OF  JOURNEY  UP  THE  COLUMBIA.  — 
STEAMBOAT  ACCIDENT.  — A PROPHETIC  EVENT. 

'JpHE  Department  of  the  Interior,  at  Washington,  issued 
its  ominous  instructions  to  carry  out  the  recommen- 
dations of  the  November  Commission  to  its  agent  at  Lap- 
wai,  early  in  January,  1877.  Copies  of  these  instructions 
were  sent,  with  directions  to  me,  from  my  own  department, 
to  occupy  Wallowa  Valley,  as  had  really  been  done  for 
three  years,  " in  the  interests  of  peace,”  and  to  co-operate 
with,  and  aid,  the  Indian  agent.  The  agent  was  Mr. 
J.  B.  Monteith.  He  was  a tall,  well-built  young  man, 
apparently  about  thirty-five  years  of  age.  His  health 
had  not  been  good,  yet  he  had  been  unsparing  of  himself 
in  his  journeys  over  his  reservation,  and  beyond,  some- 
times having  ridden  his  horse,  half  American  and  half 
Cayuse,  for  sixty  or  seventy  miles  in  a day. 

Monteith  sent  friendly  Indians  to  Joseph  and  the  non- 
treaty  Indians,  and  did  all  in  his  power  to  induce  them 
to  do  what  they  told  the  commission  they  would  not  do  ; 
i.  e.,  come  on  the  Lapwai  reservation.  These  Indians 
were  already  on  the  alert.  They,  in  preparation  for  war, 
were  sending  small  delegations  to  other  tribes. 

Some  time  in  March  Mr.  Cornoyer,  the  Indian  agent  of 


36 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


the  Umatillas,  was  in  Portland,  Oregon,  and  paid  me  a 
visit.  He  said  Joseph  had  sent  him  word  through  his, 
Cornoyer’s,  head  chief,  that  he  and  a few  of  his  principal 
men  wanted  to  come  down  to  the  Umatilla  and  have -a 

talk.  He,  Joseph,  did  not  think  the  interpreters  at  Lap- 
wai  had  told  the  commission  truly  what  he  had  said  and 
wished.  I replied : " Mr.  Corn  oyer,  encourage  them  to 
come ; and  I will  send  my  aide-de-camp,  Lieutenant 
Boyle,  who  is  a judicious  officer,  and  has  had  long  expe- 
rience with  Indians,  to  represent  me  there,  and  to  hear 
and  report  what  they  have  to  say.” 

Lieutenant  Boyle  accordingly  accompanied  Cornoyer 
on  his  return  to  the  agency,  met  the  Indians,  several 
from  Joseph's  band  having  come  one  hundred  and  twenty 
miles  to  Umatilla.  Joseph  himself  did  not  come,  but  was 
represented  by  his  brother  Ollicut,  who  was  frequently 
called  "Young  Joseph.”  This  Ollicut  was  over  six  feet 

tall,  and  perfectly  formed.  He  had  small  hands  and  feet, 
was  very  intelligent,  and  had,  an  unusual  feat  for  an 
Indian,  made  quite  good  maps  of  the  country  about 
Wallowa,  was  very  quick  and  graceful  in  his  motions, 
and  when  he  spoke  in  council  his  brother  always  made 
his  speech  or  promise  his  own.  I think  that  in  private 
Ollicut  always  urged  Joseph  to  war  measures,  and  took 
the  side  of  the  reckless  young  men,  who  would  rather 
than  not  have  a tight  with  the  white  men.  The  prospec- 
tive excitement  of  the  battle  over-topping  any  fears  of 
remote  consequences. 

At  his  first  interview  with  Ollicut,  Lieutenant  Boyle 
mistook  this  fine-looking,  warlike,  impulsive  Indian  rep- 
resentative for  the  chief,  and  telegraphed  me  accordingly 


CAPTAIN  BOYLE’S  MISTAKE. 


37 


to  Portland.  After  the  lieutenant  had  made  his  way 
from  this  meeting  to  Fort  Walla-Walla,  April  11th,  these 
words  came  over  the  wires,  " It  is  Joseph’s  understand- 
ing that  General  Howard  was  to  have  another  interview 
with  him  this  spring.  He  will  he  at  Walla-Walla  with 
his  people  on  the  20th  inst.”  To  this  promise  I assented, 
and  made  all  my  arrangements  to  go  to  Walla-Walla  and 
meet  this  appointment,  hoping  that,  as  the  Indians  had 
sought  the  interview,  some  permanent  and  satisfactory 
settlement  of  the  grievous  troubles  could  then  and  there 
be  effected. 

Now  comes  a preliminary  campaign.  Lieutenant  Wil- 
kinson accompanied  me.  The  journal  gives  this  brief 
notice:  "Left  Portland,  Oregon,  Monday  morning, 
April  16th,  1877,  for  settlement  of  Indian  Joseph’s  diffi- 
culties. Remained  over  night  at  the  Dalles.”  It  does 
not  say  anything  of  the  waking  at  four  o’clock  in  the 
morning ; the  prompt  departure  at  five ; the  filling  out 
lost  sleep  on  the  long  cabin  seat,  to  the  music  of  the 
tread  of  the  walkers  and  the  talkers,  the  monotonous 
sounds  from  the  engine,  and  the  dripping  drive-wheel 
always  rolling  and  splashing,  half  in  and  half  out  or 
water.  Then  there  was  the  breakfast,  after  passing  Fort 
Vancouver.  Good  coffee,  good  salmon,  always  good 
steak  and  potatoes,  and  unfailing  good  company,  when 
Captain  Wolf,  with  manly  manners  and  voice,  sits  by 
you.  How  can  any  one  go  from  western  Oregon  to  the 
Dalles  without  thinking  of  the  unsurpassed  scenery ; the 
grand  woods,  valleys,  hills ; the  mountains  of  two  thou- 
sand feet ; the  wild  cascades ; then  the  five-mile  railway 
over  rough  scenes,  beside  torrents  and  falls ; then  a 


38 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


cheery,  light-painted  steamboat,  the  table  set  with  white 
cloth,  at  the  head  of  which  sits  a captain  full  of  goodness 
and  humor!  Forty  miles  past  Wind  Mountain,  that 
looks  like  a pictorial  wild  Indian’s  head  in  battle ; past 
Hood-Iiiver  settlement,  through  diminishing  mountains 
and  hills  to  the  Dalles,  where  the  high-water  mark  on  the 
hotel  is  five  feet  above  your  head,  where  the  Columbia, 
tired  of  a montonous  boiling,  undertook  to  rise,  and  mer- 
cilessly toppled  over  all  the  poor,  small  shops  on  Water 
Street ! 

" Over  night  at  the  Dalles.”  It  reminds  one  of  the  dark 
morning  of  steady  knocks,  from  door  to  door,  along  the 
upper  passage-way  of  the  Umatilla  House,  before  break  of 
day,  while  clear  sonorous  tones,  following  each  knock,  were 
saying,  " Four  o’clock  ! Four  o’clock  ! ” We  wei'e  off  at 
five  in  the  morning,  among  as  cheerless  and  silent  a set  of 
passengers  as  are  W est  Point  cadets  on  the  way  to  and  from 
reveille.  The  first  fifteen  miles  were  by  railway.  Sit, 
without  fail,  upon  the  left  side  of  the  car,  as  you  are  on  the 
south  bank  of  the  great  river,  going  east.  If  this  be  your 
first  trip  you  will  see,  close  at  hand,  the  Columbia,  which 
is  more  than  a mile  wide  at  Vancouver,  here,  near  the 
Dalles,  so  set  up  on  edge  that  you  can  throw  a stone 
across  it,  pressing  along  with  the  quietude  and  stillness 
of  great  depth ; you  will  notice  the  banks  of  sand  in  the 
river  bends,  that  have  all  the  shape  of  drifting  snow-banks 
of  the  east.  Graceful  lines  and  curves  are  formed,  and 
ever  forming,  ever  changing,  in  the  restless  breezes  that 
sweep  up  and  down,  or  over  the  hills  to  give  new 
touches  to  the  pliable  heaps.  Then  you  pass  under 
frowning  precipices,  so  high  above  you  that  it  requires 


JOURNEY  UP  THE  COLUMBIA. 


39 


a trip  to  the  rear  platform  to  take  in  their  lofty 
heads. 

The  steamboat  " Almota,”  built  for  business,  waits  at 
Celilo.  When  about  fifty  miles  below  Umatilla  a cylin- 
der-head to  one  of  the  engines  blew  out,  which  delayed 
the  steamer  from  about  noon  until  midnight.  Captain 
Baughman  returned  with  a boat’s  crew  to  Celilo  for 
another  steamer,  with  which  he  arrived  about  dark, 
when  baggage  and  freight  were  transferred  to  the  steamer 
Tenino. 

A clap  of  thunder  in  a clear  sky ; an  earthquake  at 
midnight,  that  makes  all  the  doors  and  blinds  swing  and 
creak,  and  bring  down  the  top  bricks  from  the  chimneys ; 
the  sudden  and  awful  collision  of  two  sleeper  trains  in  the 
darkness  ; these  and  similar  shocks  startle  human  beings, 
but  when  two  friends  took  me  with  them  through  the 

O 

breaking,  double  cabin  doors,  when  the  rumbling,  crash, 
and  crush  of  the  explosion  beneath  our  feet  occurred,  I 
can  testify  that  this  cylinder  explosion  was  more  sudden 
and  terror-inspiring.  I cannot  but  think  that  somehow 
"coming  events  were  casting  their  shadows  before.”  For 
there  Avas  soon  to  be  the  crash  and  shock  of  the  then  un- 
expected AA'ar ; the  surprises,  the  delays,  and  the  disap- 
pointments, that  always  go  along  Avith  this  dire  calamity. 

Having  enjoyed  the  exhilaration  and  excitement  of 
ascending  the  several  rapids  of  the  Columbia,  rapids  like 
those  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  Avliich  demand  of  the  pilot  a 
quick  eye  and  steady  nerves  at  the  Avheel,  at  last,  on  the 
18th  of  April,  Ave  arrived  at  Wallula. 

Wallula  is  situated  where  the  old  fort  Walla-Walla, 
built  by  the  Hudson’s  Bay  Company,  was  located.  Its 


40 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


crumbling  walls  are  still  there,  surrounded  by  the  houses 
and  sheds  of  the  present  hamlet. 

W allula  is  a sweet  name,  that  one  loves  to  speak.  Its 
sweetness,  however,  stops  with  its  name.  Pebbles,  sand, 
a constant  wind,  and  a few  old  buildings  in  one  row,  with 
straggling  suburbs,  and  withered  grass  or  flowers.  Such 
is  "W  allula,  forlorn  indeed  ! Still  it  is  an  important  place, 
being  at  the  head  of  navigation,  and  the  river  terminus  of 
the  railway  which  runs  to  the  town  of  Walla-Walla.  Ind- 
ian Smohallie,  who  has  grouped  around  him  a band  of 
renegades,  who  is  the  high  priest  of  Dreamer-drummers, 
is  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Columbia.  He  sends  his 
messenger,  who  encounters  us  as  we  step  ashore.  " Smo- 
hallie wants  to  have  a talk  with  General  Howard.” 

He  is  answered,  " All  right.  General  Howard  has  no 
communication  for  him  from  Washington.  He  must  obey 
his  Indian  agent,  and  go  upon  some  reservation.” 

Afterwards  I left  an  appointment  for  a meeting  with 
him  and  his  Indians,  to  take  place  at  Wallula  on  my  re- 
turn from  Walla-Walla,  the  24th  of  April. 

I have  been  particular  to  mention  this  man  because  of 
his  history.  His  followers  have  been  embraced  in  a score 
of  tribes,  and  his  deleterious  influence  has  been  sadly  pro- 
ductive of  suffering.  He  is  a large-headed,  hump-shoul- 
dered, odd  little  wizard  of  an  Indian,  and  exhibits  a 
strange  mixture  of  timidity  and  daring,  of  superstition 
and  intelligence. 

There  is  another  small  band  of  natives  who  are  fast  dis- 
appearing by  disease  and  destitution.  They  are  usually 
located  about  a mile  above  the  hamlet,  and  appear  to  en- 
joy their  flinty  beds  among  the  millions  of  small  stones 


OLD  HOMILY. 


41 


which  the  overflow  of  the  Columbia  has  strewn  upon  the 
hereditary  sand,  rather  than  the  fertile  lands  of  the  Uma- 
tilla, where  other  Indians  dispute  their  title,  and  the 
Catholic  agent  insists  upon  the  sufficiency  of  one  wife 
for  their  fat  chieftain.  This  chieftain,  old  Homily, 
lately  found  even  Washington  city  inferior  to  the  wastes 
around  Wallula.  " Oh  ! ” he  said,  on  his  return  home,  as 
he  shook  his  fat  sides  with  laughter.  " You,  General 
Howard,  may  think  more  of  Washington,  but  I wasn’t 
happy  there.  The  gravel  stones  and  sand  of  Wallula 
make  me  happy.  My  tilicums  are  there.” 

Homily,  too,  begged  for  a talk.  An  odd  little  train  of 
cars  has  been  waiting  while  I have  interviewed  the  mes- 
sengers, and  thus  inspected  the  town.  With  a shrill 
whistle,  that  sets  ponies  to  dancing,  and  numerous  dogs 
to  barking,  we  are  ofl’,  at  a rate  that,  as  yet,  even  old 
Homily,  on  his  white  Cayuse,  can  rival. 


42 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  VIL 

JOSEPH’S  OWN  BAND.  — OLLICUT  COMES  TO  THE  INTERVIEW. 
— JOSEPH  ABSENT  FROM  SICKNESS.  — WHAT  CUTE  SPIES 
THEY  ARE.  — THE  GATLING  GUN.  — WAIT-LA-PU  AND  THE 
COUNTRY  ROUND  ABOUT.  — THE  WHITMAN  MASSACRE.  — A 
CHARACTERISTIC  FRONTIER  FAMILY.  — SMOHOLLEE.  — HOMI- 
LY AND  OTHER  INDIANS  WHO  ARE  DEEPLY  INTERESTED 
IN  JOSEPH’S  MOVEMENTS.  — THE  WALLULA  TALK.  — THESE 
INDIANS  REALLY  JOSEPH’S  ALLIES.  — THE  JOURNEY  TO 
LEWISTON,  AND  SEVERAL  SYMPTOMS  OF  WAR. 

IT  was  dark  when  we  reached  Fort  Walla-Walla.  A 
welcome  spring  wagon  took  us  to  the  quarters  of 
the  commanding  officer.  How  pleasant,  after  a tiresome 
journey,  is  a cordial  welcome,  a warm  fire,  a hot  cup  of 
tea,  and  a cheerful,  restful  chamber  for  the  night.  It  is 
good,  it  is  Gocl-given,  this  genuine  hospitality. 

Ollicut  put  in  an  appearance  about  six  p.  m.  (April  19.) 
Young  chief  and  several  other  prominent  Indians,  among 
them  the  medicine-man,  an  old  Indian  who,  seven  months 
later,  surrendered  to  us  north  of  the  Missouri,  with  a 
wounded,  broken,  almost  putrid  right  arm,  accompanied 
him.  These  Indians  came  to  the  western  gate  of  the 
fort,  and  Ollicut  gave  in  an  excuse  in  the  most  gentle- 
manly manner  for  not  having  been  at  the  fort  sooner,  and 
stated  that  the  chief,  his  brother  Joseph,  was  not  at  that 
time  well ; otherwise  he  would  have  been  there  himself  to 
meet  me.  The  next  day  was  fixed  upon  for  a talk,  and 
the  Indians  sought  a place  to  encamp  for  the  night. 


TALK  AT  FORT  WALLA-WALLA. 


43 


Colonel  Grover  arranged  the  band-room  for  our  purpose 
on  the  morrow. 

Talk  commenced  about  10  a.  m.  We  gathered  in  the 
long,  low  room,  having  a large  table,  Indians  on  benches 
on  one  side,  officers,  citizens,  and  a few  ladies  opposite, 
on  straight  benches  and  chairs,  or  peeping  in  curiously  at 
the  doors. 

The  council  talk  amounts  to  little.  The  Indians  are 
very  polite,  as  a few  at  a five-company  post  would  be  likely 
to  be.  The  wishes  of  the  government  are  explained 
to  them,  but  they  are  only  delegates,  and  can  make  no 
" binding  promises,”  but  beg  for  another  interview  with 
me  for  the  whole  band,  and  for  the  Salmon  River  non- 
treaty Indians,  in  fact  for  the  various  companies  of  mal- 
contents. I grant  the  petition,  and  agree  to  meet  Joseph 
and  the  others  at  Lapwai  in  twelve  days.  The  old  medi- 
cine man  looks  happy,  and  Ollicut  believes  we  shall  have 
no  trouble,  and  Young  Chief,  the  Umatilla  friend  and 
advocate,  wishes  some  new  lands  in  Wallowa  that  will 
hold  them  all  (Cayuses,  Walla-Wallas,  Umatillas,  and 
non-treaty  Nez  Pei’ces)  in  fellowship.  Really  matters 
did  not  look  much  like  war,  except  perhaps  the  sly  and 
thorough  observation  of  the  Indians  of  the  strength,  or 
rather  weakness,  of  this  post,  whose  companies  were  so 
reduced  in  numbers  as  to  appear  more  like  corporals’ 
drill-squads  than  like  captains’  proper  commands. 

At  this  visit  I took  a good  look  at  the  gatling  guns. 
We  tried  them  at  two  hundred,  three  hundred,  five  hun- 
dred, and  eight  hundred  yards.  The  rapidity  of  fire,  — 
at  least  two  discharges  per  second,  — and  the  wonderful 
accuracy  of  aim,  made  one  think  that  warfare  was  com- 


44 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


ing  to  its  best  and  quickest  results.  But,  alas ! how 
many  conditions  are  not  thought  of  on  trial  occasions, 
such  as  wide  intervening  rivers,  wooded  buttes,  and  pre- 
cipitous ravines,  conditions  of  which  Indians  take  advan- 
tage against  even  the  best  gatlings. 

When  I came  to  this  " Geographical  Department,” 
three  years  before,  there  was  no  public  conveyance  ex- 
cept a stage  coach  or  army  spring-wagon  provided  for  the 
occasion,  to  take  me  from  Wallula  to  Walla- Walla.  En- 
terprising citizens,  not  content  with  the  desert  lands  on 
the  Columbia  for  the  establishment  of  new  homes,  had 
gone  straight  inland  to  Dr.  Whitman’s  ground  of  W ait- 
la-pu  and  farther  along  the  valley  of  the  little  Walla- 
Walla,  to  the  vicinity  of  the  magnificent  rolling  wheat 
country,  now  covered  with  busy  and  prosperous  workers, 
to  the  neighborhood  of  the  foot-hills  of  the  Blue  Bidge. 
Here  there  was  for  them  plenty  of  wood,  water,  sun- 
shine, grass,  and  fertile  soil. 

But  oh  ! what  a stage  or  " spring- wagon”  road  ! You 
ate,  drank,  and  breathed  in,  but  not  out,  the  finest  and 
most  abundant  of  dry  alkaline  dirt, — and  you  bumped  up 
and  down  on  the  roughest  and  most  uneven  of  road-beds, 
which  lies  beneath  the  ten  inches  of  deceitful  dust.  So 
you  may  judge  of  the  delight  with  which  we  now,  with 
plenty  of  good  company,  and  only  a moderate  amount  of 
alkali,  pass  over  the  same  thirty  miles  of  country  in  two 
and  a half  hours  by  rail.  But  this  time  the  enjoyment 
of  quick  communication,  good  society,  and  the  modicum 
of  disagreeables  was  foregone  in  order  to  visit  Wait-la- 
pu,  where  the  Whitman  mission  had  been  planted,  and 
where,  by  the  treacherous  Cayuses,  with  their  aiders 


SMOHOLLIE. 


45 


and  abettors,  the  Whitmans  were  massacred.  . . . We 
reached  Wallula,  on  the  Columbia,  at  6 p.  m.,  on  the  23d 
of  April. 

How  can  a public  house  at  a small  hamlet  which  is  a 
carrying-place,  or  junction  of  water-steam  with  land- 
steam,  compete  with  city  hotels  which  are  daily  thronged 
with  passengers  at  four  and  live  dollars  per  head?  Our 
host  and  my  lady  of  the  Wallula  House  were  very  indus- 
trious and  hospitable,  and  made  the  stay  of  my  friends 
and  myself  just  as  pleasant  as  they  could.  They  have 
toiled  on  the  frontiers  from  Kansas  to  the  Touchet,  and 
tinally  have  set  themselves  down  at  Wallula,  replete  in 
personal  experience,  and  primed  with  the  overland  stories 
of  remarkable  character,  incidents  of  danger,  of  expos- 
ure, of  plenty,  and  of  want.  Here  we  spent  the  night, 
and  will  remember  the  occasion  longer  than  the  last 
visit  to  the  Ebbitt  House,  of  Washington,  notwithstand- 
ing its  rich  table,  restful  elevators,  and  other  contrasts 
of  comfort. 

The  work  of  this  day  was  the  beginning  of  a series  of 
measures  that  kept  the  " Columbia  River  renegades”  from 
joining  the  non-treaty  Xez  Perces  of  Joseph. 

In  accordance  with  his  promise,  a message  was  sent  by 
General  Howard  to  Smohollie  (the  leader  of  the  Indian 
spiritists) , who  is  in  camp  across  and  up  the  Columbia. 
....  Smohollie,  through  a messenger,  requests  General 
Howard  to  come  to  his  camp,  and  is  informed  by  the 
general  that  he  came  to  Wallula  to  meet  him  by  an  ap- 
pointment of  his  own  seeking,  and  he  (General  Howard) 
is  not  anxious  to  see  him.  If  Smohollie  has  anything  to 
say  to  General  Howard  he  must  come  to  Wallula  to  say 


46 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


it.  And  after  Smohollie’s  remonstrance,  by  a second 
messenger,  he  is  again  informed  that  General  Howard  has 
nothing  to  communicate  to  Smohollie,  and  does  not  really 
care  whether  he  sees  him  or  not.  This  was  rather  un- 
gracious, but  I suspected  treachery.  There  was  no 
excuse  for  the  shrewd  Dreamer’s  attempt  to  draw  me 
across  the  river.  All  of  our  party  regarded  it  then  as 
meaning  mischief.  A little  after  noon  Smohollie,  having 
given  up  his  first  designs,  crossed  the  river  just  above 
the  village,  and  mustered  all  his  people,  including  women 
and  children.  They  were  bedecked  with  much  paint  and 
feathers,  and  with  all  the  pomp  and  circumstance  possi- 
ble came  into  town  " to  meet  the  General,  who,  by  pre- 
vious arrangement  and  promise,  had  with  him  Indian 
Agent  Corn  oyer.”  The  talk  was  held  in  a large  store- 
house  Some  two  hundred  and  fifty  Indian  men, 

and  about  fifty  women  and  children,  gathered  in  and 
about  this  building.  The  regular  interpreter  (McBean) 
was  taken  ill  en  route , and  could  not  reach  us  at  Wallula. 
Having,  therefore,  no  interpreter,  except  a few  by- 
standers who  had  made  a feeble  attempt  at  translating,  — 
after  some  preliminary  and  unsatisfactory  efforts  of  these 
and  the  Indians  in  the  Chinook  jargon,  the  council  ad- 
journed until  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Pambrun.  He  had  been 
sent  for,  and  was  soon  expected.  He  was  a singularly 
good  interpreter.  He  spoke  the  Walla-Walla  tongue, 
now  the  language  common  to  the  Cayuses,  Umatillas,  and 
Walla- Wallas. 

At  half  past  seven  Mr.  Pambrun  arrived.  He  was 
twenty  miles  away  when  our  mounted  messenger  found 
him.  A little  school-room  had  been  prepared.  Upon 


THE  WALLULA  TALK. 


47 


notification  Smohollie,  with  some  of  his  principal  men. 

Young  Chief,  Homily,  and  Thomas,  reassembled 

Talk  ceased  between  ten  and  eleven. 

These  Indians  had  the  same  statements  to  make  as  the 
non-treaty  Nez  Perces.  They  want  peace,  but  they  wish 
to  roam  at  large  whenever  and  wherever  they  please. 
They  really  belong  on  various  reservations,  and  the  word 
"renegades”  describes  them  well.  I think  they  were 
meditating  resistance  at  that  time,  and  were  only  waiting 
and  parleying  to  ascertain  first  what  the  " non-treaty  ” 
Nez  Perces  would  do.  Should  they  then,  and  alone,  pre- 
cipitate war,  they  knew  well  enough  they  would  soon  be 
swallowed  up.  The  wishes  of  the  government  were  care- 
fully explained  to  them  by  Mr.  Cornoyer,  and  they  were 
earnestly  exhorted  by  him  to  run  to  the  shelter  of  the 
reservations.  I explained  to  them  the  wishes  of  the  gov- 
ernment, as  contained  in  the  instructions  from  Washing- 
ton, and  endorsed  the  statements  of  Mr.  Cornoyer. 
With  apparent  good  feeling,  except  on  the  part  of  old 
Thomas,  who  lived  on  the  Snake,  near  some  of  the  non- 
treaty  Nez  Perces,  and  who  was  tremblingly  fierce  to 
know  why  we  were  sending  troops  to  Wallowa,  the  In- 
dians shook  our  hands,  and  left  the  town  before  midnight. 
After  the  adjournment,  old  Thomas’  people  rushed 
northward  for  a hundred  miles,  beating  the  steamboat, 
and  crossing  their  hands,  and  stating  that  we  were  going 
to  put  them  into  the  " Skookum-house  ” (meaning  the 
military  prison  or  guard-house).  Father  Wilbur,  as  the 
agent  at  Yakima  is  called,  had  previously  brought  us  an 
insubordinate  Indian,  and  we  had  confined  him  at  Fort 
Vancouver.  Thomas’  Indians,  although  two  hundred 


48 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


miles  further  inland,  had  heard  of  this,  and  had  pleaded 
with  me  for  the  imprisoned  Indian’s  release.  Thus  con- 
nected are  the  renegades  in  common  feeling  and  sympathy 
against  all  white  men,  even  where  they  quarrel  and  fight 
with  one  another. 

April  the  25th  and  26th  we  spent  in  ascending  the  Co- 
lumbia and  the  Snake  Rivers  from  Wallula  to  Lewiston, 
Idaho. 

At  6 p.  m.  we  arrived  at  Lewiston.  This  town,  of  a 
few  hundred  inhabitants,  three  hundred  miles  east  of 
Portland,  Oregon,  was  to  be  the  main  depot,  the  start- 
ing-point of  my  operations  in  the  upper  country  after 
war  began.  It  well  represents  the  world  in  miniature ; 
has  an  enterprising  newspaper,  and  many  fair  merchants, 
but  yet  thus  far  enjoys  but  few  of  the  comforts  and  lux- 
uries of  existence.  At  this  time  I met  by  appointment 
Colonel  Perry,  commanding  officer  at  Fort  Lapwai,  and 
Indian  Agent  Monteith.  To  them  I read  carefully  my  full 
instructions  from  the  Honorable  Secretary  of  War,  Gen- 
eral Sherman,  and  the  commanding  general,  Military 
Division  of  the  Pacific,  especially  in  relation  to  the 
part  the  military  was  to  have  in  placing  the  Indians 
upon  the  reservations. 

The  particular  object  of  this  visit  was  to  avoid  a long 
correspondence,  and  to  concert  measures  of  co-operation. 
The  interview  which  Joseph  and  Ollicut  had  solicited 
with  the  non-treaty  Nez  Perces  was  arranged  for,  and 
fixed  for  the  third  of  the  ensuing  month.  Then  I re- 
turned by  the  steamboat,  the  next  day,  to  Wallula,  where 
I could  have  the  telegraph  to  conduct  the  affairs  of  my 
department.  I wish  also  particularly  to  meet  officers 


SYMPTOMS  OF  WAR. 


49 


coming  to  me  from  Portland,  and  to  provide  for  the  with- 
drawal of  our  troops  from  the  territory  of  Alaska.  This 
recall  of  these  troops  had  just  been  determined  upon 
by  the  War  Department,  and  was  indeed  a fortunate  cir- 
cumstance, as  it  enabled  me  to  catch  these  forces  on  the 
wing,  and  turn  them  quickly  towards  Lewiston,  as  soon 
as  the  terrible  storm  of  Indian  outrages  had  begun. 

4 


50 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  vm. 

JOSEPH’S  OWN  BAND.  — TITE  JOURNEY  TO  THE  COUNCIL  AT 
LAPWAI.  — GRAND  PRELIMINARY  CEREMONIES.  — ACCOUNT 
OF  CHARACTERS,  AND  OF  THE  FIRST  DAY’S  PROCEEDINGS. 

IT  seemed  to  Eastern  people,  a few  years  ago,  when  the 
son  of  Bishop  Kip,  of  California,  wrote  some  interest- 
ing articles  concerning  the  Indians,  and  other  subjects, 
from  Walla-Walla,  that  he  had  gone  pretty  near  to  the 
world’s  extremity.  But  here  now  is  Walla-Walla,  a 
thriving,  growing,  enterprising  city.  A railroad  train 
from  its  suburbs  connects  daily  at  Wallula  with  the 
passing  steamers  that  at  least  twice  a week  penetrate  to 
the  very  heart  of  Idaho.  Daily  stages  start  from  this 
railway  terminus  for  east,  and  north,  and  south,  and  the 
busy  telegraph  keeps  the  newsmen  and  merchants  in  per- 
petual contact  and  business  sympathy  with  San  Francisco 
and  New  York. 

The  journey  through  the  rich  and  beautiful  valleys, 
threading  our  way  among  the  hills,  and  over  the  spur  of 
the  Blue  Ridge,  brought  us  back  to  Lewiston,  then, 
twelve  miles  further,  to  Fort  Lapwai.  A lady,  the  wife 
of  an  army  officer,  said  about  it : 

"You  don’t  know  how  I do  love  Fort  Lapwai,  and 
with  what  regret  I left  the  place.”  It  is  the  bright  sun- 
shine, the  beautiful  rolling  hills  and  gorgeous  mountains, 
and  valleys  of  every  shape  and  description,  lighted  up 


COUNCIL  AT  LAPWAI. 


51 


into  attractive  pictures ; it  is  the  excellent  climate  that 
invigorates  while  it  does  not  freeze  you ; it  is  these,  with 
good  companionship,  that  make  this  most  frontier  of 
posts  dwell  pleasantly  in  the  memory  of  those  who  have 
resided  there.  There  is  really  no  fort.  There  is  a hol- 
low square  on  the  western  side  of  the  ravine  ; the  Lapwai 
flows  northerly,  near  the  eastern  slope  of  it.  The  usual 
officers’  quarters  are  on  the  west,  facing  inwards  ; the  bar- 
racks opposite  ; office  on  the  south  ; guard-house,  with  its 
one  sentinel  walking  up  and  down  in  front,  on  the  north, 
and  the  parade  between.  The  post-trader’s  and  laun- 
dress’ houses  are  nearer  the  Lapwai ; while  the  stables 
and  other  outbuildings  are  arranged  a few  paces  outside 
the  square,  and  up  the  valley.  Behold  any  'two-com- 
pany’ army-post  prepared  for  cavalry,  and  you  have 
caught  the  type. 

The  first  council  with  young  Joseph  was  held  at  Fort 
Lapwai,  the  3d  of  May,  1877.  Present:  Agent  Mon- 
teith,  with  his  interpreter,  Whitman ; Joseph,  Ollicut, 
with  about  fifty  of  Joseph’s  band  of  Indians. 

We  had,  by  way  of  preparation  for  the  council,  a large 
hospital-tent  pitched  in  front  of  that  one  walking  sentinel 
at  the  guard-house,  and  extended  the  tent  — as  we  were 
accustomed  to  do  with  our  wall-canvas  houses  durinsr  the 

O 

Rebellion  — by  prolonging  and  propping  the  ridge-pole, 
and  stretching  over  it  the  tent-fly,  with  ropes  well  out, 
and  with  sides  of  tent  looped  up.  This  whole  contrivance 
was  to  give  all  the  shelter  practicable  from  the  sun,  and 
still  open  everything  to  the  free  circulation  of  air  and 
sight,  not  forgetting  to  be  open  to  the  guard  on  the  one 
hand,  and  to  the  garrison  of  soldiers,  who  were  to  remain 


52 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


at  their  barracks,  on  the  other.  " You  were  already 
afraid  of  the  Indians?”  Oh,  no;  that  is  against  the  sol- 
diers’ theory ; but  it  is  well  to  be  prepared. 

There  were  fifty  non-treaty  Nez  Perce  Indians,  not 
more,  arranged  as  usual ; a long  rank  of  men,  followed 
by  women  and  children,  with  faces  painted,  the  red  paint 
extending  hack  into  the  partings  of  the  hair,  — the  men’s 
hair  braided  and  tied  up  with  showy  strings,  — orna- 
mented in  dress,  in  hats,  in  blankets,  with  variegated 
colors,  in  leggings  of  buckskin,  and  moccasins,  beaded 
and  plain ; women  with  bright  shawls  or  blankets,  and 
skirts  to  the  ankle,  and  " top  moccasins.”  All  were 
mounted  on  Indian  ponies  as  various  in  color  as  the  dress 
of  the  riders.  These  picturesque  people,  after  keeping 
us  waiting  long  enough  for  effect,  came  in  sight  from  up 
the  valley,  from  the  direction  of  their  temporary  camp, 
just  above  the  company  gardens.  They  drew  near  to  the 
hollow  square  of  the  post,  and  in  front  of  the  small  com- 
pany, to  be  interviewed.  Then  they  struck  up  their 
song.  They  were  not  armed,  except  with  a few  " toma- 
hawk pipes,”  that  could  be  smoked  with  the  peaceful 
tobacco,  or  penetrate  the  skull-bone  of  an  enemy,  at  the 
will  of  the  holder.  Yet  somehow  this  wild  sound  pro- 
duced a strange  effect.  It  made  one  feel  glad  that  there 
were  but  fifty  of  them,  and  not  five  hundred.  It  was 
shrill  and  searching ; sad,  like  a wail,  and  yet  defiant  in 
its  close.  Our  ladies,  thinking  it  a war-song,  asked,  with 
some  show  of  trepidation,  " Do  you  think  Joseph  means 
to  fight?”  The  Indians  swept  around  outside  the  fence, 
and  made  the  entire  circuit,  still  keeping  up  the  song  as 


OPENING  CEREMONIES. 


53 


they  rode.  The  buildings  broke  the  refrain  into  irregular 
bubblings  of  sound  till  the  ceremony  was  completed. 

Joseph,  Ollicut,  and  other  principal  men,  came  up 
behind  Colonel  Perry’s  quarters,  and  walked  through  the 
transverse  hall,  this  being  to  them,  doubtless,  the  most 
modest  and  acceptable  mode  of  approach. 

I had  gone  to  the  council-tent  to  receive  them,  where 
were  already  gathered  the  agent,  the  interpreters,  Mr. 
Whitman  and  James  Reuben,  lieutenants  Wilkinson  and 
Boyle,  several  officers  and  ladies  of  the  garrison,  and 
numerous  "treaty  Indians,”  standing  or  crouching  outside 
of  the  tent.  Father  Cataldo,  the  priest  of  the  Catholic 
mission,  which  is  situated  eight  miles  from  the  fort,  was 
also  present.  After  the  usual  hand-shaking  and  orderly 
seating  of  the  assembly,  the  Catholic  father  opened  the 
exercises  by  a short  extempore  prayer  in  Nez  Perce. 

Then  I turned  to  Joseph,  and  said,  through  Mr.  Whit- 
man, "I  heard  from  your  brother  Ollicut,  twelve  days 
ago,  at  Walla-Walla,  that  you  wished  to  see  me.  I am 
here  to  listen  to  what  you  have  to  say.” 

Joseph  answered,  " Another  band  of  Indians,  White 
Bird’s,  from  the  Salmon  country,  are  coming.  They  are 
already  in  the  Craig  Mountains,  on  their  way.  They  will 
be  here  to-morrow.  You  must  not  be  in  a hurry  to  go 
till  all  can  get  in  to  have  a talk.” 

I replied,  " Mr.  Monteith,  the  Indian  agent,  and  I have 
received  our  instructions  from  Washington.  They  send 
us  to  your  people.  If  you  decide  at  once  to  comply  with 
the  wishes  of  the  government  you  can  have  the  first  pick 
of  vacant  land.  We  will  wait  for  White  Bird  if  you 


54 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


desire  it.  Instructions  to  him  are  the  same  as  to  you. 
He  can  take  his  turn.” 

Thereupon  the  old  Dreamer,  whom  I have  previously 
described,  stood  up,  and  addressed  Mr.  Whitman  in  the 
most  pointed  manner : 

" On  account  of  coming  generations,  the  children  and 
the  children’s  children,  of  both  whites  and  Indians,  you 
must  interpret  correctly.” 

A companion-piece  to  this  Di'eamer,  another  aged 
medicine-man,  with  a cross  and  querulous  manner,  said, 
" We  want  to  talk  a long  time,  many  days,  about  the 
earth,  about  our  land.” 

The  answer  was,  " Mr.  Monteith  and  I wish  to  hear 
what  you  have  to  say,  whatever  time  it  may  take ; but 
you  may  as  well  know  at  the  outset  that  in  any  event  the 
Indians  must  obey  the  orders  of  the  government  of  the 
United  States.” 

Then  Mr.  Monteith  read  his  instructions  from  the  In- 
dian Bureau  to  the  Indians,  which  were  slowly  and  care- 
fully interpreted  to  them,  and  added,  "I  sent  out  Reuben” 
(then  the  head-chief  of  the  treaty  Nez  Perces,  — since 
dead)  "and  some  others  to  your  camp,  and  invited  you  to 
come  in.  [This  message  went  to  them  in  the  Grande 
Ronde,  or  Wallowa,  country,  and  was  not  heeded.] 
Now  you  must  come,  and  there  is  no  getting  out  of  it. 
Your  Indians  and  White  Bird’s  can  pick  up  your  horses 
and  cattle,  and  come  on  the  reservation.  Joseph  can 
select  the  place  he  wants  if  he  will  do  it  at  once.  Gen- 
eral Howard  will  stay  till  matters  are  settled.” 

Ollicut — tall,  well-knit,  supple,  and  graceful  fellow — 
was  now  and  then  almost  persuaded  to  yield  to  the  white 


THE  FIRST  DAY. 


55 


man’s  power ; then,  driving  himself,  in  seeming  regret,  to 
the  opposite  extreme,  Ollicut  spoke  : 

"We  must  think  for  ourselves,  whites  and  Indians. 
We  have  respect  for  the  whites  ; but  they  treat  me  [their 
orators  frequently  using  the  first  person  singular  when 
speaking  for  the  whole  band]  as  a dog,  and  I sometimes 
think  my  friends  are  different  from  what  I had  supposed. 
There  should  be  one  law  for  all.  If  I commit  murder  I 
shall  be  hung ; but  if  I do  well  I should  not  be  punished. 
Our  friends  will  be  here  to-morrow,  and  I will  then  tell 
what  I think.” 

I answered,  "Joseph,  Agent  Monteith,  and  myself  are 
under  the  same  government.  What  it  commands  us  to 
do,  that  we  must  do.  The  Indians  should  come  on  the 
reservation  first ; then  they  may  have  privileges,  as  the 
agent  has  shown,  viz.,  to  hunt  and  to  fish  in  the  Imnaha 
Valley.  If  the  Indians  hesitate  to  come  to  the  reserva- 
tion, the  government  directs  that  soldiers  be  used  to  bring 
them  hither.  Joseph  and  Ollicut  know  that  we  are 
friends  to  them,  and  that  if  they  comply  there  will  be  no 
trouble.” 

The.  two  old  Dreamers,  whom  the  Indians  treat  with 
great  respect,  and  by  whom  they  were  always  unduly 
influenced,  were  at  this  council  very  saucy  and  quarrel- 
some in  their  manner.  On  account  of  this  I was  obliged 
to  treat  them  with  marked  severity,  and  to  tell  them 
plainly  that  " they  must  give  good  advice,”  or  I should  be 
obliged  to  arrest  and  punish  them.  They  then  took 
alarm,  and  changed  their  tone. 

Severity  of  manner  in  dealing  with  savages  is  believed 
by  many  of  the  Indian’s  friends  to  be  always  uncalled  for 


56 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


and  decidedly  wrong.  It  may  be  so  ; but  the  manner  of 
dealing  must  depend  much  upon  the  peculiarities  of  the 
people  with  whom  you  have  to  do. 

One  general  principle,  however,  the  white  man  may  lay 
down : If  he  desires  to  influence  Indians  to  comply  with 
his  wishes  he  must  neither  fear  nor  hate  them.  In  the 
outset  of  this  council  Joseph  had  sought  to  so  move,  act, 
and  talk  as  " to  weaken  the  hearts  ” of  the  white  folks. 
While  he  held  himself  in  reserve,  with  a sour,  non-com- 
mittal appearance,  he  pushed  forward  his  harsh  represen- 
tatives. Had  his  preliminaries  been  met  with  any  sign 
of  weakness,  as  he  always  interpreted  softness  of  manner 
to  be  prompted  by  weakness,  the  results  which  we  were 
endeavoring  to  bring  about  would  have  failed  of  the 
accomplishment.  In  fact,  the  long  pleadings  of  the 
Washington  Commission  during  the  previous  November, 
accompanied  as  they  were  by  the  most  kindly  manner 
and  patient  tones,  were  believed  by  Joseph  and  his  band 
to  indicate  great  weakness.  Though  it  failed  to  get  their 
consent  to  the  most  liberal  conditions,  it  did  have  the 
effect  to  enlarge  their  ideas  of  their  own  importance.  In 
fact  the  time  for  loving  persuasion  had  now  gone  by. 
Positive  instructions  had  come,  and  obedience  was  re- 
quired. There  was  no  unkindness,  or  even  severity,  in 
the  face,  manner,  or  words  of  the  agent  or  officers  of  the 
government,  except  when  it  became  necessary  to  meet 
and  overcome  apparent  malignity  and  noisy  opposition. 
Against  these,  fearless  sternness  always  produced  the 
most  wholesome  and  immediate  consequences. 


THE  SECOND  INTERVIEW. 


57 


CHAPTER  IX. 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  CONFEDERATES.  — THE  SECOND  INTERVIEW. 
— WHITE  BIRD  AND  HIS  BAND.  — AEPOWA  JEM.  — JOSEPH’S 
BRIEF  SPEECH.  — TOO-HUL-IIUL-SOTE.  — THE  ADJOURNMENT. 

HE  second  Indian  council  was  held  at  Fort  Lapwai, 


JL  May  4.  It  was  a glorious  day  ; the  sun  shone  with- 
out a cloud,  hut  its  heat  was  relieved  by  a gentle  breeze 
which  was  coursing  through  the  valley  and  over  the 
smooth  hills,  and  causing  the  abundant  grasses  and 
flowers  to  ripple  and  sparkle  in  long  noiseless  waves. 

White  Bird  had  marched  into  the  valley  with  a part  of 
his  band,  the  remainder,  he  reported,  were  driving  the 
ponies  and  fetching  the  lodges  and  provisions  across  the 
Craig  Mountain.  The  Ashotins  were  present,  and  Too- 
hul-hul-sote,  with  his  followers,  were  straggling  in.  The 
trails  are  still  difficult  at  this  season,  often  obstructed 
with  deep  drifts  of  snow,  which,  being  softened  by  the 
increasing  warmth,  are  worse  than  at  an  earlier  season, 
when  they  are  stiffened  by  the  frosts  of  winter. 

The  Indians  gathered  and  formed  in  lines,  as  on  the 
previous  day.  There  was  the  same  careful  toilet,  the 
same  preliminary  ride  around  the  garrison,  the  song  being 
louder  and  stronger,  and  perhaps  more  defiant  than  be- 
fore ; the  same  back-door  entrance  and  cordial  hand-shak- 
ing. We  were  then  seated  ; when,  at  my  request,  one  of 
the  handsomest  and  pleasantest  of  the  " treaty  ” Nez 


58 


NEZ  PEKCE  JOSEPH. 


Perces,  and  one  whom  I had  noticed  as  active  and  happy 
in  the  religious  gatherings,  called  Alpowa  Jim,  was  re- 
quested to  conduct  the  opening  service.  He  fervently 
prayed  in  his  own  language  ; then  Mr.  Monteith  repeated 
the  reading  of  his  Washington  instructions,  carefully  ex- 
plaining them,  as  was  done  the  day  before.  After  a little 
delay  Joseph  made  a brief  speech.  " This  is  White  Bird. 
I spoke  to  you  of  him.  This  is  the  first  time  he  has  seen 
you,  and  you  him.  I want  him  and  his  Indians  to  under- 
stand what  has  been  said  to  us.” 

To-day,  Joseph,  with  his  shining  hair  very  carefully 
braided  at  the  sides,  and  his  face  slightly  rouged,  sat  on  a 
low  bench.  His  tall  brother  on  the  ground,  half  reclined, 
before  him,  and  White  Bird,  with  his  followers,  massed 
behind  him,  squatted  on  the  grass  to  the  left  of  Ollicut. 

White  Bird  was  a demure-looking  Indian,  about  five  feet 
eight  inches  tall.  His  face  assumed  the  condition  of  im- 
passibility,  or  rigid  fixedness,  while  in  council ; and  prob- 
ably for  fear  that  some  passing  event,  some  look  or  word, 
might  surprise  him  into  the  betrayal  of  the  slightest  emo- 
tion, he  kept  his  immense  ceremonial  hat  on,  and  placed 
a large  eagle’s  wing  in  front  of  his  eyes  and  nose. 

In  speaking  of  the  country  occupied  by  the  Indians  I 
mentioned  the  sub-chief,  who  habitually  encamped  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Snake  River,  — Too-hul-hul-sote.  He 
held,  as  we  have  seen,  some  of  the  country  between 
Joseph’s  Wallowa  and  White  Bird’s  Salmon  River  region. 
He  was  broad-shouldered,  deep-chested,  thick-necked, 
five  feet  ten  in  height,  had  a heavy,  guttural  voice,  and 
betrayed  in  every  word  a strong  and  settled  hatred  of  all 
Caucasians.  I'Ttus  man  the  Indians  now  put  forward  to 


TOO-HUL-H  UL-SOTE . 


59 


speak  for  them ; not,  probably,  that  they  had  already  de- 
cided to  endorse  his  sentiments,  but  as  he  always  coun- 
selled war,  they  evidently  desired  to  see  what  effect  his 
public  utterance  would  produce  upon  us.  He  said  : "There 
are  always  two  parties  to  a dispute.  The  one  that  is  right 
will  come  out  ahead.”  This  was  introduced  by  plentiful 
flourish  of  words  and  illustrations,  but  with  no  attempt 
at  conciliation  even  in  manner.  The  old  answer  was  re- 
peated in  substance  : " We  are  all  subjects,  children  of  a 
common  government,  and  must  obey  its  requirements.” 
Too-hul-hul-sote  said,  " I have  heard  about  a bargain,  a 
trade  between  some  of  these  Indians  [referring  to  the 
treaty  Nez  Perces]  and  the  white  men  concerning  their 
land ; but  I belong  to  the  land  out  of  which  I came. 
The  Earth  is  my  mother.” 

We  rejoined  : " The  Nez  Perces  did  make  such  an  agree- 
ment, and  as  the  commission  from  Washington  explained 
last  fall,  the  non-treaty  Indians  being  in  the  minority  in 
their  opposition,  were  bound  by  that  agreement,  and 
must  abide  by  itd\ 

The  old  man,  more  surly  than  before,  declared;  "You 
have  no  right  to  compare  us,  grown  men,  to  children. 
Children  do  not  think  for  themselves.  Grown  men  do 
think  for  themselves.  The  government  at  Washington, 
'cannot’  [or  shall  not]  think  for  us.” 

This  method  of  talking,  continuing  for  some  time,  was 
troublesome,  and  I saw  that  the  Indians  were  evidently 
excited  and  tired.  Further,  I felt,  from  their  manner, 
that  it  would  be  wise  to  have  the  troops  that  were  already 
on  the  march  in  position;  viz.,  the  Wallowa  force,  about 
a hundred  cavalrymen,  at  least,  as  near  us  as  the  Grande 


60 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


Ronde ; a new  company  at  Walla-Walla;  and  one  of  the 
cavalry  companies  from  Walla-Walla  in  our  immediate 
vicinage. 

Therefore,  when  Joseph  asked  for  postponement,  I 
proposed  to  Joseph  and  White  Bird  not  to  meet  again  till 
the  following  Monday.  This  arrangement  seemed  to 
please  everybody.  I remarked,  as  we  were  about  to 
separate,  " Let  the  Indians  take  time  ; let  them  wait  till 
Monday  morning,  and,  meanwhile,  talk  fully  among 
themselves.”  So,  with  pleasant  faces,  and  cordial  hand- 
shaking, the  second  interview  ended. 

There  was,  however,  great  anxiety  during  the  few  days 
of  intermission.  The  " treaty  ” Nez  Perces  betrayed 
symptoms  of  fear.  The  extravagant  speeches  of  young 
Indians  were  circulated  by  the  women.  Gossips  came  to 
servants  of  the  officers  and  told  of  the  sayings  and  the 
threats  of  Joseph  and  White  Bird. 

For  a time  there  were  at  the  fort,  and  at  the  agency, 
which  is  but  three  miles  distant,  much  sleeplessness  and 
terror  lest  there  should  burst  out  somewhere  in  our  neigh- 
borhood a fire  that  no  ordinary  effort  could  quench. 

The  wild  Indians  were  well  armed,  with  many  breach- 
loading  rifles  and  pistols.  The  friendly  Nez  Perces  had 
nothing  but  shot-guns.  The  former  were  constantly 
trained  by  their  unceasing  racings  and  firings,  while  the 
latter  were  cultivating  their  farms.  The  " non-treaties  ” 
had  made  themselves,  like  the  irregular  cossacks  of  Rus- 
sia, the  best  skirmishers  in  the  world.  Like  them,  they 
are  never  so  well  off  as  when  left  to  themselves.  They 
are  quick-sighted,  superior  marksmen,  and  subject  to 
sufficient  discipline  when  following  their  recognized  chiefs, 


AFTER  ADJOURNMENT. 


61 


to  scatter,  run  to  cover,  and  reassemble,  without  disband- 
ing. 

Already  there  were  hovering  about  our  garrison  at  Lap- 
wai  this  well-appointed  force  of  Indians,  greater  in  num- 
ber than  the  two  skeleton  companies  of  United  States 
soldiers  stationed  there ; and  every  hour  brought  them 
new  accessions.  Some  one  asked,  " Did  not  General  Can- 
by  trust  the  Modocs?  and  what  was  the  result?”  It  must 
be  confessed  that  my  reflections  were  not  altogether 
pleasant,  nor  such  observations  and  questions  very  re- 
assuring. 

The  interval  of  waiting  was,  however,  relieved  by  the 
lively  exercises  of  the  Sabbath.  At  the  agency  chapel  the 
Dreamers  — men,  women,  and  children  — and  the  Chris- 
tians filled  the  house,  the  steps,  and  " the  borders  round 
about,”  while  their  songs  of  praise  could  be  heard  for 
a lone:  distance. 

There  is  so  much  that  is  picturesque  in  the  Indian  cos- 
tume that  such  an  assembly  presents  a gay  spectacle  at 
any  time.  This  Sunday  was  not  an  exception.  The 
gloom  and  anxiety  which,  like  a heavy  cloud,  had  previ- 
ously settled  upon  the  whites  in  the  vicinity,  seemed  to  drift 
away  before  the  cheerful  spirit  of  this  occasion.  Reuben, 
the  chosen  head-chief,  James  Reuben,  the  teacher,  and 
Archie  Lawyer,  who  read  in  English  and  preached  in  Nez 
Perce,  all  prophesied  peace.  So  that  at  night  the  Indians 
in  general  were  happy,  and  the  whites  in  attendance  be- 
came hopeful  of  a peaceful  solution  of  disquieting  ques- 
tions. Yet,  as  I subsequently  heard,  Joseph  held 
himself  aloof  from  the  Christian  gathering,  and  stirred 
up  many  of  his  immediate  followers  by  those  interesting 


62 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


"dreamer”  ceremonial  movements,  drumming  and  song, 
which,  subsequently,  at  the  prisoners’  camp  at  Leaven- 
worth, Kansas,  the  following  November,  by  their  novelty, 
brought  together  five  thousand  of  our  citizens  to  hear  and 
to  see  them. 


THE  THIRD  COUNCIL. 


63 


CHAPTER  X. 

JOSEPH  AND  HIS  CONFEDERATES.  — THE  THIRD  COUNCIL.— 
HUSH-HUSH-CUTE.  — THE  OLD  DREAMER  AGAIN. —HIS  DEFI- 
ANT TALK  AND  ARREST.— THE  DANGERS  OF  A MASSACRE. 
— THE  CHANGE  OF  TONE. 

milE  day  for  the  third  interview  with  the  discontented 
JL  Indians  came.  It  was  Monday,  the  seventh  day  of 
May,  1877.  There  had  been  many  accessions  to  their 
numbers.  They  had  come  to  Lapwai  from  all  directions. 
Hush-hush-cute,  the  oily,  wily,  bright-eyed  young  chief, 
who  could  be  smooth-tongued  or  saucy  as  the  mood 
seized  him,  or  as  he  thought  it  would  best  subserve  a 
present  purpose,  had,  with  a number  of  followers,  just 
arrived  from  the  vicinity  of  the  Palouze  river.  Messen- 
gers had  come  to  Joseph  from  the  mouth  of  the  Grande 
Ronde,  and  declared  that  soldiers  were  already  in  the 
Wallowa  country. 

The  ceremonial  display  of  the  Indian  bands,  with 
greatly  increased  forces,  similar  to  that  on  previous 
days,  evidently  gave  the  Indians  courage,  and  those  dis- 
posed to  war  measures  were  bolder  in  their  manner  and 
in  their  demands.  Mr.  Monteith,  the  agent,  who  was 
very  kind  and  conciliatory  toward  them,  told  them  that 
they  had  evidently  received  a wrong  impression  with 
regard  to  the  government  requirement.  There  was  no 
purpose  to  interfere  with  them  in  their  religious  rites  and 
ceremonies ; no  restraint  except  when  a " too-at  ” or 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


64 

" dreamer,”  in  his  mistaken  zeal,  occasioned  a disturbance 
of  the  peace.  It  was  added  that  a had  teacher,  who 
counselled  disobedience  of  the  clear  instructions  of  the 
government,  would  certainly  have  to  he  punished. 

'Too-hul-hul-sote,  the  cross-grained  growler,  was  again 
designated  as  the  speaker,  and  took  up  his  parable.  He 
was,  if  possible,  crosser  and  more  impudent  in  his  ab- 
ruptness of  manner. than  before.  He  had  the  usual  long 
preliminary  discussion  about  the  earth  being  his  mother, 
that  she  should  not  be  disturbed  by  hoe  or  plough,  that 
men  should  subsist  on  what  grows  of  itself,  &c.,  &c. 
He  railed  against  the  violence  that  would  separate  Indians 
from  lands  that  were  theirs  by  inheritance.  He  repeated 
his  ideas  concerning  " chieftainship,”  chieftainship  of  the 
earth.  Chieftainship  cannot  be  sold,  cannot  be  given 
away.  Mr.  Monteith  and  General  Howard,  he  said,  must 
speak  the  truth  about  this  chieftainship  of  the  earth. 

He  was  answered:  "We  do  not  wish  to  interfere  with 
your  religion,  but  you  must  talk  about  practicable  things. 
Twenty  times  over  you  repeat  that  the  earth  is  your 
mother,  and  about  chieftainship  from  the  earth.  Let  us 
hear  it  no  more,  but  come  to  business  at  oncedM 
Hrhe  old  man  replied,  in  a very  insolent  tone  : " What 
the  treaty  Indians  talk  about  was  born  of  to-day ! It 
isn’t  true  law  at  all.  You  white  people  get  together, 
measure  the  earth,  and  then  divide  it ; so  I want  you  to 
talk  directly  what  you  mean  ! ” The  agent  says  very 
pleasantly  : " The  law  is,  you  must  come  to  the  reserva- 
tion ; the  law  is  made  in  Washington.  We  don’t  make  it.” 

To  other  similar  remarks  the  old  Dreamer  replied 
fiercely:  "We  never  have  made  any  trade.  Part  of  the 


THE  OLD  DREAMER  AGAIN. 


65 


Indians  gave  up  their  land.  I never  did.  The  earth  is 
part  of  my  body,  and  I never  gave  up  the  earth.” 

I replied  : "You  know  very  well  that  the  government 
has  set  apart  a reservation,  and  that  the  Indians  must  go 
upon  it.  If  an  Indian  becomes  a citizen,  like  old  Tim- 
othy of  Alpowa,  he  can  have  land  like  any  other  citizen 
outside,  but  he  has  to  leave  his  tribe,  and  take  land  pre- 
cisely as  a white  man  does.  The  government  has  set 
apart  this  large  reservation  for  you  and  your  children, 
that  you  may  live  in  peace,  and  prosper.” 

The  rough  old  fellow,  in  his  most  provoking  tone,  said 
something  in  a short  sentence,  looking  fiercely  at  me. 

The  interpreter  quickly  says:  He  demands,  "What 
person  pretends  to  divide  the  land,  and  put  me  on  it?  ” 

In  the  most  decided  voice  I said  : " I am  the  man.  I 
stand  here  for  the  President,  and  there  is  no  spirit  good 
or  bad  that  will  hinder  me.  My  orders  are  plain,  and  will 
be  executed.  I hoped  that  the  Indians  had  good  sense 
enough  to  make  me  their  friend,  and  not  their  enemy.”] 
Signs  of  anger  and  bad  blood  began  to  appear.  Look- 
ing-glass dropped  his  gentle  style  and  answered  me 
evasively.  White  Bird,  from  behind  his  eagle’s  wing, 
spoke  mildly,  but  endorsed  his  aged  spokesman,  and  said: 

" If  I had  been  taught  from  early  life  to  be  governed 
by  the  white  men  I would  be  governed  by  the  white 
men.  The  earth  sustains  [or  rules]  me.” 

I now  perceived  that  the  Indians  were  trying  to  see 
how  saucy  they  could  be  through  this  Too-at,  and  I no- 
ticed that  some  of  them  had  weapons.  I perceived  that 
I must,  somehow,  put  in  a wedge  of  separation,  and  curb 
their  unruly  tendency.  So  I said  to  the  old  man  : "Then 
5 


66 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


you  do  not  propose  to  comply  with  the  orders  of  the 
government  ? ” He  answered  : " So  long  as  the  earth 
keeps  me,  I want  to  he  left  alone.  You  are  trifling  with 
the  law  of  the  earth.”  I replied,  " Our  old  friend  does 
not  seem  to  understand  “that  the  question  is : Will  the 
Indians  come  peaceably  on  the  reservation,  or  do  they 
want  me,  in  compliance  with  my  orders,  to  put  them 
there  by  force  ? ” 

He  declared,  in  substance,  "I  never  gave  the  Indians 
authority  to  give  away  my  lands.”  I asked : " Do  you 
speak  for  yourself  alone?”  He  answered,  with  additional 
fierceness,  "The  Indians  may jia what  they  like,  but  I am 
not  going  on  the  reservation  ! ” 


Speaking  as  sternly  as  I could,  I said : " This  bad 
advice  is  what  you  give  the  Indians.  On  account  of  it, 
you  will  have  to  be  taken  to  the  Indian  territory^*  Joseph 
and  White  Bird  seem  to  have  good  hearts,  but  yours  is 
bad.  I will  send  you  there  if  it  takes  years  and  years. 
When  I heard  that  you  were  coming,  I feared  that  you 
would  make  trouble^  You  say  you  are  not  a medicine- 
man, but  you  talk  for  them.  The  Indians  can  see  no 
good  while  you  are  their  spokesman.  You  advise  them 
to  resist,  to  fight,  to  lose  all  their  horses  and  cattle,  and 
have  unending  trouble.”  (Turning  to  the  others.)  "Will 
Joseph,  and  White  Bird,  and  Looking-glass  go  with  me 
to  look  after  their  land  ? The  old  man  shall  not  go.  He 
must  stay  with  Colonel  Perry.” 

The  old  Dreamer  said,  " Do  you  want  to  scare  me  with 
reference  to  my  body  ? ” I answered,  " I will  leave  your 
body  with  Colonel  Perry.” 

At  this  time  I called  for  the  messenger,  but  he  being 


CHANGE  OF  TONE. 


67 


away,  Colonel  Perry  and  I led  Too-kul-hul-sote  out  of 
the  council.  £My  conduct  was  summary,  it  is  true,  but  I 
knew  it  was  hopeless  to  get  the  Indians  to  agree  to  any- 
thing so  long  as  they  could  keep  this  old  Dreamer  on  the 
lead,  and  defy  the  agents  of  the  government  ;]  and  I 
believed  that  the  Modoc  massacre  would  very  soon  be 
repeated,  if  I gave  time  for  concert  of  action.  [In  fact, 
in  dealing  with  Indians,  my  conviction  is  strong  that  the 
true  policy  is  to  demand  obedience  to  the  requirements 
of  the  government  of  the  United  States.  The  crisis  had 
come,  when  either  this  demand  must  be  made,  or  these 
wild  Indians  be  allowed  all  the  latitude  and  leisure  that 
their  hearts  desired^ 

A far  different  spirit  now  prevailed  among  them. 
Their  tones  changed.  They  spoke  pleasantly,  and  readily 
agreed  to  go  with  me  to  examine  the  Lapwai,  and  after- 
ward the  valley  of  the  Clearwater,  at  more  remote  parts 
of  the  reservation,  where  there  would  be  good  ground  to 
cultivate,  fair  grazing  for  their  annuals,  and  plenty  of 
wood  for  the  winter  months. 

With  this  satisfactory  conclusion,  the  council  again 
adjourned. 


68 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

JOSEPH  AND  HIS  CONFEDERATES.  — THE  RIDE  THROUGH  THE 
LAPWAI  VALLEY  TO  LOOK  FOR  LAND.  — THE  LUNCH,  AND 
THE  CALDWELL  HOUSE.— A HORSE-RACE.  — LOOKING-GLASS 
AND  WHITE  BIRD  PLEDGING  THEIR  LIVES.  — THE  DECISION 
TO  COME  ON  THE  RESERVATION. — JOE  ROBOSKO’S  JOY.— 
LOOKING-GLASS  LAUGHING.  — THE  FINAL  INTERVIEW.— 
INDIANS  FRIGHTENED  BY  RUMORS. —GOOD  FAITH  APPAR- 
ENT, EXCEPT  WITH  HUSII-HUSH-CUTE.  — JOSEPH  CHANGES 
HIS  CHOICE  OF  LAND.  — GENERAL  REJOICING.  — GENERAL 
HOWARD’S  LIFE  THREATENED.  — THE  RETURN  TO  PORT- 
LAND, OREGON. 

TUESDAY,  the  8th,  Joseph, White  Bird,  and  Looking- 
glass  rode  with  Wilkinson  and  myself  up  the  valley 
of  the  Lapwai.  These  chiefs  were,  to-day,  dressed  in  their 
best.  Their  swinging  side-locks  were  braided  with  un- 
usual care.  Their  faces  were  painted,  as  usual,  with  a 
line  of  red  running  back  along  the  parting  of  the  hair 
over  the  head.  Well  mounted  on  large-sized  Indian 
ponies,  of  divers  colors,  with  their  rich  blankets  dropped 
from  the  shoulders  to  the  saddle,  they  sat  waiting  for  us 
near  their  lodges,  and  what  was  very  encouraging,  they 
appeared  hearty  and  cheerful,  chatting  with  us  and  with 
each  other  as  we  rode  along. 

A lady,  at  Caldwell’s,  in  the  upper  part  of  this  valley, 
very  kindly  gave  us  a lunch.  Joseph  looked  over  Mr. 
Caldwell’s  house  with  much  apparent  interest.  I said  to 
him,  " Joseph,  you  prefer  canvas  houses  ; you  don’t  like 
these  wooden-frame  houses?”  He  answered,  "Oh,  no; 


JOE  ROBOSKO’S  JOY. 


69 


when  I come  upon  the  Lapwai  I shall  want  a frame 
house.”  On  our  way  back  to  the  post  we  had  quite  a 
horse-race.  White  Bird  wished  to  try  his  snug-built 
roan,  and  see  if  it  could  not  outrun  Captain  Wilkinson’s 
American  bay,  and  all  laughed  and  talked  in  the  most 
friendly  way.  On  one  occasion  during  the  ride  Looking- 
glass  came  to  me  and  begged  me  to  release  the  old  man 
— Too-hul-hul-sote  — from  confinement.  He  said  he 
would  make  him  say  that  he  was  sorry  for  his  crossness, 
and  that  he  and  White  Bird  would  be  responsible  to  me 
with  their  lives  for  his  good  behavior.  It  was,  doubtless, 
with  his  promise  to  me  in  memory,  that  Looking-glass, 
later,  became  afraid  to  surrender,  and  always  said,  " Gen- 
eral Howard  will  surely  hang  us.”  And  this  promise, 
also,  so  affected  White  Bird  that,  at  the  final  surrender,  he 
crept  out  betweeen  the  lines  rather  than  risk  a meeting ; 
for  he  said,  " We  would  soon  begin  to  kill  the  prisoners.” 

Looking-glass  and  White  Bird  were  told,  as  we  ap- 
proached the  fort  on  our  return,  that  the  old  man  would 
be  kept  under  restraint  for  a while,  till  all  the  land  matter 
should  be  arranged.  The  friendly  sub-chief,  Jonah,  and 
Joe  Robosko,  the  interpreter,  went  with  us  this  day,  and 
they  both,  in  substance,  remarked,  ['"The  ' non-treaties  ’ 
have  now  made  up  their  minds  fully  to  come  on  the  re- 
served, Joseph  and  his  band  of  Wallowa  Indians  want  the 
Lapwai,  from  where  the  Sweetwater  joins  it  to  its  source, 
above  Caldwell’s  ranch.  White  Bird  wants  to  go  to 
Looking-glass’  country,  on  the  Clearwater,  above 
Kamiah.  Hush-hush-cute  will  go  to  the  land  along  the 
Clearwater,  just  above  the  agency.”  Joe  Robosko  was 
very  happy  about  it.  He  said,  " I didn’t  believe  till  to- 


70 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


day  that  they  had  decided  to  come.”  Of  course  all  of 
us  were  very  glad.  Matters  appeared  to  be  taking  a 
good  turn.  V The  beauty  of  the  day,  the  exhilaration  of 
this  ride  of  fourteen  miles,  the  effect  of  the  fine  lands 
presented  to  Joseph’s  eye,  and  the  sight  of  the  nice 
house  on  the  Lapwai  that  would  he  his,  and  the  break- 
ing of  bread  with  us  at  lunch,  all  appeared  to  combine 
to  soften  the  heart  of  the  young  chieftain,  and  relieve  hirn 
from  the  sinister  undercurrent  of  his  thought  and  purpose.  1 

The  next  day  was  Wednesday,  the  9th  of  May.  We 
set  out  for  Kamiah  very  early,  before  the  sun  arose. 
I never  can  forget  that  lovely  morning,  when  the  sun  be- 
gan to  appear,  touching  the  round  hills  with  light,  and 
glorifying  the  mountain  before  us,  which  looked  like  a 
great  monarch  enthroned  among  his  humbler  dignitaries 
and  subjects. 

Looking-glass  rode  along  by  my  side  and  told  of  his 
father,  long  since  dead,  and  of  the  old  man’s  good  advice ; 
advice  that  he  had  not  hitherto  heeded,  but  that  he  now 
meant  to  follow.  "What  makes  me  feel  like  laughing 
this  morning,  General  Howard?”  he  asked,  in  pleasant 
thoughtfulness. 

I answered,  " There  are  three  kinds  of  laughter,  — one 
from  fun,  another  from  deceit,  and  another  from  real 

joy ! ” 

" Mine,”  he  replied,  " is  from  real  joy.  I shall  never 
forget  our  ride  along  these  paths.”  So  we  talked. 

White  Bird  took  to  Captain  Wilkinson  for  his  amuse- 
ment. His  face  lighted  up  and  broke  into  smiles  as  he 
talked.  I believed,  and  all  who  made  this  journey  of 
sixty  miles  with  us,  and  all,  including  Rev.  Mr.  Thomp- 


THE  FINAL  INTERVIEW. 


71 


son,  of  Olympia,  and  Mr.  Monteith,  the  Indian  agent, 
who  went  over  the  hills  and  mountains  along  the  banks 
for  sixteen  miles  above  Kamiah  the  next  day,  then  be- 
lieved, and  so  expressed  themselves,  that  these  leading 
Indians  then  really  meant  to  conform  to  the  wishes  of  the 
government,  and  come  on  the  reservation. 

After  the  return  to  Lapwai  the  Indians  came  together 
for  a final  interview,  Tuesday,  May  14.  Captain  Trim- 
ble’s company  of  the  1st  Cavalry  had  arrived  at  Lapwai, 
and  gone  into  camp ; special  news  that  two  other  com- 
panies, Wliippple’s  and  Winter’s,  had  reached  the  banks 
of  the  Grande  Ronde,  not  far  from  its  mouth,  had  just 
come  in.  This  news  created  much  excitement  among 
the  Indians.  Word  was  brought  to  Joseph  to  hurry 
and  make  terms  with  me,  for  a thousand  soldiers  were 
near  his  old  camping-ground,  beyond  the  Snake  River. 
Joseph  had,  in  consequence,  very  early  this  morning,  run 
to  my  aide-de-camp,  in  breathless  haste,  and  asked  to 
have  all  matters  speedily  settled. 

The  white  inhabitants  from  the  Salmon  River  and 
Camas  Prairie  country,  from  the  vicinity  of  Wallowa, 
and  from  the  neighborhood  of  Hush-hush-cute’s  roaming 
places,  had,  from  time  to  time,  sent  the  Indian  agent  the 
most  marked  complaints  of  the  unruly  character  of  many 
of  these  Indians,  and  forwarded  earnest  entreaties  that 
they  he  made  to  go  upon  the  reservation.  A formal  en- 
treaty of  this  kind,  from  Salmon  River,  Avas  received  this 
very  morning,  of  which  the  Indians  Avere  informed.  It 
evidently  strengthened  their  decision  to  come  to  the  reser- 
vation ; yet,  as  subsequent  events  proved,  these  remon- 
strances Avere  treasured  up  in  memory,  and  made  the 
excuse  for  murder  and  outrage. 


72 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


All  came  together,  Indians  and  white  men,  near  the  ad- 
jutant’s office.  Their  petition  to  release  the  old  " dream- 
er ” had  been  granted.  Then  they  each  entered  into 
formal  agreement  with  the  agent  and  the  army  to  be  put 
on  the  Lapwai  reservation  in  one  month,  i.  e.,  by  June 
14.  Joseph,  at  last,  concluded  that  he  would  rather  go 
to  the  Clearwater  with  the  others.  This  favor  was 
granted,  really  because  it  relieved  us  from  the  unpleasant 
necessity  of  disturbing  two  white  men,  who,  together, 
held  some  seven  hundred  acres  of  the  good  land  along  the 
LapAvai  Creek.  And  as  there  was  seeming  hostility  even 
against  the  friendly  reservation  Indians,  at  the  town  of 
Lewiston,  twelve  miles  from  them,  it  was  deemed,  for 
this  reason  also,  a good  thing  to  settle  the  new-comers 
seventy  miles  or  more  farther  off.  Hush-hush-cute  was 
given  thirty-five  days.  He  was  the  only  Indian  who,  at 
this  time,  betrayed  any  symptoms  of  treachery.  His  pro- 
tection papers  were  withheld  on  account  of  it,  and  given 
to  the  agent,  to  be  presented  to  him  when  the  agent 
should  be  satisfied  of  his  good  intentions. 

There  was  general  rejoicing  over  the  peaceful  outcome 
of  our  councils,  and  long  rides  to  locate  the  Indians. 
Other  Indian  agencies  were  notified  of  the  results.  One 
reliable  story,  however,  came  in,  that  a Columbia-Itiver 
renegade  had  burned  his  stuff  and  had  gone  on  the  war- 
path, and  that,  according  to  his  bitter  threats,  my  life 
was  in  danger.  This  had  a good  foundation  ; but  we  sup- 
posed as  soon  as  the  news  of  peace  should  reach  the  run- 
away that  he  would  return  to  his  deserted  wife,  and 
surely  one  should  never  lie  awake  of  nights  from  fear  of 
personal  harm. 


THE  RETURN  TO  OREGON. 


73 


The  military  aides,  and  myself,  now  turned  homeward. 
We  had  a quick  and  pleasant  trip  down  the  Snake  and 
Columbia  rivers,  and  Saturday,  May  19,  found  us  again 
with  our  families  in  Portland.  The  eastern  progress  was 
somethins:  like  that  of  the  children  of  Israel  towards  the 
promised  land ; it  had  many  backward  as  well  as  forward 
movements.  We  had  journeyed,  however,  four  hundred 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  Willamet,  toward  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  and  returned. 

The  next  time  we  set  out,  thanks  to  the  enterprise  of  the 
redoubtable  Joseph,  we  shall  not  turn  back  till  we  reach 
the  Missouri  River,  and  look  into  the  eyes  of  our  friends 
beyond,  in  St.  Paul  and  Chicago. 


74 


NEZ  PEKCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

JOSEPH’S  ALLIES.  — BACK  AT  THE  PLACE  OF  BEGINNING.  — 
PEACEFUL  SCENES.  — COLONEL  WATKINS,  THE  INDIAN 
INSPECTOR.— THE  FOURTEEN  MASTERS.—  SKEMIAH.  — VISIT 
TO  FATHER  WILBUR.  — A CLEAN  CHURCH.  — THE  MESSEN- 
GERS SENT  TO  NUMEROUS  INDIAN  TRIBES.  — BRANDING 
CATTLE. — GOOD  TIDINGS. 

IF  you  take  your  map  of  Oregon,  and  look  up  Portland, 
you  will  find  it  one  hundred  and  ten  miles  from  the 
sea,  on  the  Willamet,  (sometimes  called  Willamette  and 
sometimes  Wollamet,)  but  you  may  not  realize  the  fact 
that  this  cosmopolitan  city  of  twenty  thousand  people  is 
really  the  centre  of  all  kinds  of  activities,  military  and 
civil ; oceanward,  up  and  down  the  gentle  Pacific  ; south- 
ward, by  rail  and  by  river,  to  the  broken  mountain 
divides ; northward,  by  rail  and  by  stage,  to  western 
Washington  Territory  ; and  eastward,  by  the  broad,  grand 
old  Columbia  River,  with  its  numerous  and  almost  end- 
less branches,  that  mingle  their  fountain  extremities  with 
the  millions  of  their  kind  which  supply  the  brooklets, 
creeks,  and  rivers  of  the  Atlantic  slope. 

My  companion  and  myself  came  back  with  the  feeling 
that  a difficult  task  had  been  done.  General  Mower,  one 
of  the  Union  heroes  of  the  great  rebellion,  used  to  say  at 
the  end  of  a battle,  which  he  always  seemed  to  compass 
with  a fierce  delight,  " Fait  accompli,  fait  accompli , sir.” 
So  seemed  the  closing  interview  at  Lapwai  an  accomplished 


PEACEFUL  SCENES. 


75 

work.  We  felt  almost  sure  that  there  would  be  no 
difficulties  with  the  Nez  Perces.  All  their  history  and 
their  traditions  favored  this  view.  But  we  did  forget,  I 
think,  that  even  in  the  veins  of  Joseph  there  was  some 
of  the  Cay  use  blood.  The  Cay  uses  had  intermarried 
largely  with  the  Nez  Perces.  It  was,  as  we  have  seen, 
the  Cayuses  that  accomplished  the  cowardly,  treacherous, 
excuseless,  and  horrible  massacre  of  Doctor  Whitman  and 
his  helpers.  " Blood  tells  ! ” Why  ever  forget  it? 

The  days  came  and  went  in  Portland  much  as  usual. 
The  streets  were  lively  with  the  summer  trade.  The 
thousand  children  at  the  central  school  were  coming  out 
and  going  in  with  joyous,  springing  gait,  and  an  almost 
infinite  variety  of  plumage.  The  rains  had  pretty  nearly 
ceased,  or  had  been  replaced  by  brief  showers,  that 
one  enjoys  as  he  does  tears  of  gladness  after  a long 
sorrow.  How  many  items  of  comfort  in  common,  almost 
unnoticeable  things,  come  back  to  the  memory  when  the 
spell  is  over,  and  the  perpetual  conflict  is  joined ! So 
were  we  in  comfort,  and  peace,  and  hope,  when  Colonel 
E.  C.  Watkins,  the  Interior  Department  Inspector  of  In- 
dian affairs,  came  into  my  office  during  this  interval  of 
rest.  I was  glad  enough  to  see  him,  for  I used  to  declare 
that  I had  fourteen  commanding  officers  in  the  fourteen 
Indian  agents  within  the  geographical  department  of  the 
Columbia.  It  is  difficult  to  serve  fourteen  masters  ; cer- 
tainly it  is  not  Scriptural.  Now  here  comes  their  civil 
senior.  I transfer  my  allegiance  at  once.  Colonel  Wat- 
kins was  not  only  able  and  competent  officially,  ready  as 
he  was  to  take  the  lead  in  the  work  of  gathering  in  the 
renegade  Indians  scattered  along  the  Columbia,  but  he 


76 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


was  also  personally  very  pleasant  company.  He  had 
served  acceptably  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  and 
had,  as  we  all  must  have,  a fund  of  anecdote  relating 
thereto.  He  had  also  quite  an  experience,  country  wide, 
as  an  Indian  inspector.  The  hair-breadth  escapes  of  the 
war  were  more  than  equalled  by  his  peaceful  raids  against 
whiskey  frauds  through  Tennessee  and  northern  North 
Carolina.  He  is  a large,  full-built,  wholesome  man, 
backed  up  with  genuine  courage  in  any  dangerous  position. 

After  much  conversation  and  reflection  upon  the  situa- 
tion, Watkins  and  I agreed  that  if  Joseph  could  secure 
allies  among  the  numerous  Columbia  River  tribes  he 
might  yet  change  his  mind,  should  he  be  inclined  to 
treachery,  — here  was  his  leverage.  It  was  certainly  wise 
to  anticipate  him,  and  if  possible  divert  the  bands  that 
were  roaming  up  and  down  the  great  river. 

Well,  the  30th  of  May  we  made  a start.  It  was  the 
national  holiday.  We  first  went  to  Fort  Vancouver,  six 
miles  due  north  from  Portland,  to  spread  flowers  on  the 
graves  of  our  deceased  soldiers.  As  Indian  Skemiah, 
whom,  we  have  seen,  Father  Wilbur  had  laid  his  hands 
upon  and  delivered  to  me  for  temporary  correction  and 
confinement,  and  conversion  after  the  military  sort,  wished 
much  to  see  me,  and  better  still,  Colonel  Watkins  with 
me,  we  had  a formal  interview  with  this  chief.  With 
a clay-colored,  expressionless  face,  and  a fat,  waddling 
body,  the  old  man,  accompanied  by  a soldier  to  guard 
him,  made  his  appearance  in  General  Sully’s  back  office, 
where  we  were  in  waiting.  In  the  meagre  "jargon,”  — a 
language  part  French,  part  English,  and  part  Indian, 
once  quite  popular  on  this  coast,  but  becoming  of  less 


VISIT  TO  FATHER  AVILBUR. 


77 


and  less  use  as  learning  steadily  advances,  — the  sergeant 
interpreter  received  and  translated  the  assurance  that 
Skemiah’s  heart  had  always  been  good ; that  his  people 
had  gone  to  Father  Wilbur’s  reservation,  and  that  he 
would  gladly  go  there  and  do  just  right  henceforth.  We 
promised  him  that  he,  starting  the  next  day,  should  go 
there  under  the  escort  of  the  sergeant.  He  was  to  ac- 
company us  to  the  reservation,  where,  if  he  behaved 
well,  he  would  doubtless  be  released. 

On  the  31st  of  May,  at  the  usual  early  hour  of  five  in 
the  morning,  we  set  out  for  the  Dalles.  I little  thought, 
as  I took  my  small  valise  in  hand,  and  bade  adieu  to  my 
drowsy  family,  on  that  morning,  that  I should  pass  through 
an  Indian  war,  and  be  absent  live  months,  before  I should 
look  upon  their  faces  again.  Yet  so  it  was  to  be. 

Skemiah  and  his  keeper  joined  us  at  Vancouver.  Ske- 
miah  was  happy,  probably  never  happier  in  his  life.  His 
dull,  clayey  face  had  an  eager,  pleasant  look  this  morning, 
and  I was  glad  for  him. 

What  books  would  be  written  to  fill  the  world  if  what 
is  said  and  done  on  transport  steamers  and  other  vehicles 
were  only  jotted  down ! . . . . Colonel  Watkins  and 
Captain  Wilkinson  had  a fund  of  stories,  so  that  the  day 
passed  quickly,  as  the  palatial  steamer,  through  the  Hud- 
son-like scenery  of  the  West,  ascended  the  Columbia. 

Forty  miles  above  the  Cascades  the  steamer  was  left.  As 
travellers,  we  did  not  tire  of  the  hills  and  mountains  on  the 
north  bank,  opposite  the  Dalles,  and  the  grand  scenery, 
as  we  turned  our  eyes  from  time  to  time  to  look  at  the 
valley  of  the  Columbia,  and  the  twice  ten  thousand  hills, 
and  the  old  mountains  beyond  them.  Thither  we  wound 


78 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


our  way,  up,  up,  and  over  into  the  valley,  and  up,  and 
up,  to  the  top  of  the  Simcoe  range.  Near  there,  with 
weather  cold  as  in  the  Alps,  we  camped  for  the  night. 
Indians  were  plenty.  Skemiah’s  little  son  of  four  years, 
dressed  like  a young  prince  in  Indian  finery,  had  joined 
us,  and  they  condescended,  as  they  had  not  provisions 
with  them,  to  receive  of  our  bounty.  Indians,  when 
they  smoke  tobacco,  and  when  they  eat  the  white  man’s 
food,  always  appear  so  remarkably  contented,  that  it  is 
well,  when  possible,  to  gratify  them.  It  is  hospitable, 
and  it  usually  makes  friends. 

By  eleven  the  next  day,  June  2,  we  were  at  Father 
Wilbur’s  Indian  agency  on  the  Simcoe  River.  The  Sim- 
coe is  a branch  of  the  Yakima,  which  enters  the  Columbia 
above  the  mouth  of  the  Snake.  The  Yakima  gave  the 
name  to  the  handsomest  Indian  reservation  of  the  Pacific 
coast.  Mr.  Wilbur  was  away  when  we  arrived,  at  a re- 
mote part  of  his  reserve,  branding  cattle.  That  evening 
he  and  his  wife  returned.  How  strong  he  looked. 
Standing  six  feet  in  his  slippers,  a broad-shouldered, 
thick-chested,  large-headed,  full-voiced,  manly  man.  Yet 
he  tires  sometimes,  as  age  creeps  on.  Mrs.  Wilbur  said  : 
"We  had  to  stop  by  the  way,  and  he  lay  down  a while 
and  took  a sleep  and  rest.”  I do  not  wonder,  for  he  had 
the  care  of  a nation  on  his  shoulders,  and  was  his  own 
cabinet,  legislature,  and  judiciary.  He  did  have  a prime- 
minister,  however,  who  was  systematic  and  painstaking, 
and  that  was  Mrs.  Wilbur.  The  next  day  we  looked  in 
upon  one  of  their  churches,  that  one  which  was  crowded 
to  overflowing  with  Indians,  and  had  the  fences  lined  with 
their  waiting  saddle-horses.  That  church  was  without  a 

O 

speck  of  dirt,  even  a tobacco  stain ! 


GOOD  TIDINGS. 


79 


Monday,  messengers  were  sent  out  to  Indians  along 
the  Columbia  for  hundreds  of  miles,  and  they  asked  the 
bands  to  meet  at  Fort  Simcoe.  While  we  were  waiting 
for  this  important  gathering,  Colonel  Watkins,  Captain 
Wilkinson,  and  I looked  over  this  extensive  and  celebrated 
Indian  reservation,  so  well  known  to  benevolent  people 
everywhere.  We  went  even  to  the  cattle  ranch,  twenty- 
six  miles  from  the  agency,  and  saw  how  the  young  cattle 
and  calves  were  branded,  and  did  not  wonder  that  Mr. 
Wilbur  got  weary  when  we  saw  the  practical  way  in 
which  he  taught  the  Indians  to  mark  a wild  steer.  The 
animal  had  to  be  thrown  clown,  and  made  to  lie  flat  and 
still,  while  the  strong  man  took  and  applied  the  heavy 
and  fearful  branding-iron.  To  catch,  to  throw,  to  fasten, 
to  hold,  to  brand,  then  to  separate  the  public  and  the 
private,  the  Indian’s  and  the  white  man’s,  wras  a trying 
ordeal,  almost  like  a battle  in  its  excitements. 

While  Colonel  Watkins  and  his  escort  were  waiting  on 
the  Yakima,  the  mail  brought  only  good  news.  Joseph, 
Ollicut,  and  White  Bird  were  gathering  in  their  ponies 
and  cattle,  preparatory  to  settling  down,  as  they  had 
promised.  The  newspapers,  which  are  fond  of  sensa- 
tional paragraphs,  gave  out  good  tidings.  The  favorable 
reports  gladdened  the  hearts  of  the  Yakimas  also,  for 
while  there  is  an  Indian  war  all  the  red  men  are  more  or 
less  involved  in  suspicion  and  trouble. 


80 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

JOSEPH’S  ALLIES.  — THE  YAKIMA  COUNTRY.  — FORT  SIMCOE. 
— JOE  STWYRE.  — SMOHOLLIE.  — MOSES.  — PAMBRUN,  THE 
INTERPRETER.  — THE  TALK  OF  JUNE  EIGHTH.  — SOLEMN 
FORMALITY.  — WELL-DRESSED  INDIAN  WOMEN.  — COLONEL 
WATKINS’  SPEECH.  — AGENT  WILBUR’S  SPEECH.  — THE  SUN- 
DAY SERVICE. -A  WONDERFUL  OCCASION.  — THE  WILD  IN- 
DIANS’ ANSWER.— THE  SCHOOL  CHILDREN’S  SONGS.  — TALK 
OF  JUNE  TENTH.— SPEECHES  OF  MOSES  AND  OTHERS. 

I RETURNED  to  Fort  Simcoe  in  time  to  meet  the 
renegade  Indians,  should  they  listen  to  the  appeal  of 
our  messenger,  and  come  in. 

This  Fort  Simcoe  is  located  about  sixty-five  miles 
north  of  the  Columbia,  that  is,  by  the  route  that  must  be 
taken,  though  much  less  in  a direct  line.  It  is  in  the 
Yakima  and  Simcoe  valleys,  prolonged  westward,  lying 
close  to  the  foot-hills  of  the  Cascade  range,  in  a beautiful 
grove  of  oaks.  It  was  built  for  two  or  three  companies 
of  infantry,  by  Major  Garnett,  who  was  at  one  time  the 
commandant  of  the  Military  Academy,  and  who  afterwards 
fell  in  the  Confederate  service.  He  made  picturesque 
quarters  for  his  officers,  and  good  buildings  generally, 
and  surrounded  the  gardens  with  handsome  fences.  The 
improvements  were  years  ago  transferred  to  the  Indian 
Department,  and  became  the  headquarters  for  the  agency 
of  the  Yakima,  or  Simcoe,  reservation.  The  great  beauty 
and  fertility  of  this  valley,  the  complete  success  of  civil- 
izing influences  under  Agent  Wilbur,  the  neat  Indian 


THE  TALK  AT  FORT  SIMCOE. 


81 


houses  and  farms  it  contains,  and  the  other  evidences  of 
progress,  have  long  been  the  subject  of  public  record.  I 
may  here  add  that  all  this  ground  force  was  brought  to 
bear  by  the  agent,  employes,  head-chief  Joe  Stwyre,  and 
the  friendly  reservation  Indians,  to  help  Colonel  Wat- 
kins in  carrying  out  his  instructions.  These  were  to 
gather  the  renegades  and  wild  roamers  of  the  Columbia, 
and  start  them  on  the  road  of  civilization. 

White  people  tried  to  hinder  and  frighten  Joe  Stwyre. 
"You’ll  be  killed  sure,  if  you  go  to  Smohollie  ! ” " No, 

no  ! ” Smohollie  received  him  gladly,  and  hastened  with 
his  principal  friends  to  set  out  for  Simcoe.  So,  also, 
Moses,  from  Priest’s  Rapids,  and  the  other  nomads  along 
the  Big  River  Yalley.  Pambrun,  the  interpreter,  the  son 
of  the  Pambrun  of  the  time  of  the  Cay  use  massacre,  who 
spoke  a language  that  all  these  understand,  came  from  his 
home,  near  Touchet.  All  the  Indians,  far  and  near, 
gathered  in  the  neighborhood  of  Simcoe,  Saturday,  the 
8th  of  June. 

It  was  a hot,  sunny  day,  so  that  the  tent  stretched  in 
the  grove  afforded  a very  grateful  shade.  Behold  the 
formal  grouping ! I never  have  experienced  so  much 
solemn  formality,  except  at  the  first  January  examination 
at  the  Military  Academy,  where  the  superintendent,  and 
all  officers  of  the  army,  came  and  arranged  themselves  in 
dazzling  order;  so  was  it  at  an  Indian  council.  First, 
Colonel  Watkins,  Agent  Wilbur,  our  military  selves; 
white  men  and  ladies  arranged  ; then  facing  these  are  the 
Indians  on  benches  or  chairs,  in  the  first  row,  in  order  of 
their  supposed  rank,  from  right  to  left,  — Moses,  Smo- 
hollie, One-eyed  John,  Calwash,  Skemiah,  Thomas,  and 
6 


82 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


others.  Friendly  Indians  mingled  with  the  new-comers. 
Renegades  came  in  behind,  sitting  or  gracefully  crouch- 
ing. The  background  Avas  finely  studded  with  women 
and  children,  with  bright  and  contrasted  colors,  with 
straight,  black  hair,  and  black,  flashing  eyes.  Remember 
that  these  Avomen  are  mostly  housekeepers,  and  have,  on 
such  great  occasions  as  this,  clean  hands,  clean  faces,  and 
combed  locks. 

Colonel  Watkins  (after  the  opening  prayer)  made  the 
first  speech.  It  Avas  in  substance  : 

I.  Now,  the  government  of  the  United  States  requires 
you  all  to  come  on  this  or  some  other  of  its  reservations. 

II.  In  every  possible  way  of  looking  at  this  matter  it 
is  evidently  better  for  you  to  come. 

III.  The  commander  of  the  military  forces  will  enforce 
this  requirement. 

Agent  Wilbur  talked  mostly  to  the  second  proposition, 
and  strove  to  influence  Smohollie  particularly ; for  Smo- 
hollie,  the  author  of  the  " dreamer  religion,”  is  believed 
to  be  the  cause  of  the  restlessness  of  the  Columbia  River 
tribes,  for  it  keeps  alive  the  hope  of  supernatural  aid, 
somehoAv,  to  come  through  a general  Indian  resurrection. 
As  it  Avas  late,  and  the  Indians  Avere  tired  from  their  long 
journeys,  the  council,  after  a few  remarks  of  notice  and 
welcome,  was  adjourned  to  Monday.  All  Avere  invited 
to  stay  for  the  morrow’s  religious  seiwice,  appointed  at 
the  grove  where  we  Avere  at  the  time  assembled. 

The  next  day’s  service  cannot  Avell  be  forgotten.  All 
took  part.  Father  Wilbur,  Avith  his  great  spiritual 
poAver,  and  Colonel  Watkins,  Avith  his  calm  statements, 
and  Captain  Wilkinson,  with  his  nervous  energy  and 


TALK  OF  JUNE  TENTH. 


83 


moving  pathos,  were  followed  by  Indians,  pleading  for 
the  cause  of  Christ  in  the  Indian’s  own  tongue.  Smohol- 
lie,  and  other  wild  ones,  answered  these  appeals  with 
much  apparent  sincerity  and  feeling.  The  well-dressed 
and  happy  Indian  school-children  cemented  the  whole  in 
joyous  demonstrations  of  sacred  song. 

The  adjourned  meeting  reassembled  at  eight  a.  m.,  the 
10th  of  June.  I will  simply  introduce  the  Indians’ 
speeches  as  I recorded  them. 

Moses  (he  is,  indeed,  a handsome  Indian,  neat  in  his 
dress,  full-built,  muscular,  his  head  held  well  up  and 
back,  his  eyes  red  from  inflammation,  — probably  the 
effect  of  wind,  and  alkali  dust,  and  Indian  fires)  : " My 
Indians  are  scattered  over  a large  country.  I cannot  say 
what  they  will  do.  I am  ready  to  tread  on  any  reserva- 
tion. If  it  is  better  for  me  to  go  on  some  reservation 
other  than  this,  all  right. 

" The  Indians  above  the  Spokane,  several  tribes,  have 
invited  me  to  become  their  chief ; and  if  they  shall  have  a 
reservation  I would  like  to  go  to  them.” 

Smohollie,  with  his  hunchback  figure  and  big  head, 
apparently  fearing  that  Moses  may  get  ahead  of  him,  even 
in  our  favor,  remarked  at  once,  "Your  law  is  my  law.  I 
say  to  you,  Yes.  I will  be  on  a reservation  by  Septem- 
ber. I have  but  two  or  three  hundred  people.” 

The  oldest  chief,  Thomas,  blear-eyed,  spare,  tall,  full 
of  trembling,  says,  " I have  about  fifty  Indians  in  all.  I 
will  go  to  the  Umatilla  Reservation  by  the  1st  of  Sep- 
tember.” He  kept  the  promise  in  November. 

The  others,  Skemiah,  One-eyed  John,  and  Calwash, 
made  similar  promises,  naming  the  number  of  Indians  for 


84 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


whom  they  were  responsible.  These  five  Indians,  who 
spoke  at  the  council,  were  chiefs  of  bands.  They  made 
their  promises  freely  ; and  so  far  as  joining  others  against 
the  whites  is  concerned  neither  of  them  did  so,  and  few 
of  their  people  have  since  misbehaved. 

That  afternoon  we  bade  our  good,  hospitable  friends  at 
the  agency  good-by,  feeling  as  if  another  peaceful  work 
had  been  done,  and  well  done.  Surely  at  least  five  hun- 
dred warriors,  apprised  that  Joseph  and  his  discontented 
Indians  had  yielded  to  us,  were  themselves  deterred  from 
all  preparations  for  war.  If  any  of  them  afterwards 
meditated  treachery,  as  people  who  doubt  all  Indians 
claim,  it  was  too  late.  The  military  movements  pre- 
vented reinforcements  from  this  quarter  without  great 
hazard.  And  really  I do  not  think  such  treachery  was 
contemplated  after  this  gathering. 

In  a spring  wagon,  drawn  by  two  good  mules,  our 
pai'ty  followed  the  Yakima  down  its  south-easterly  course 
to  near  its  mouth.  The  interpreter,  and  many  Indians 
on  their  ponies,  afforded  the  wagon  a lively  cavalcade, 
before,  behind,  and  on  the  flanks.  The  heat,  and  finally 
deep  sand  for  several  leagues,  prevented  our  arrival  at 
Wallula  the  night  of  the  11th.  We  had  at  least  twenty- 
five  miles  to  go,  when  it  occurred  to  me  that  the  Indians 
might  take  us  down  the  Columbia  in  a canoe.  We  came 
to  near  the  mouth  of  the  Yakima,  where  it  enters  the 
Columbia,  just  about  sundown.  Captain  Wilkinson  here 
became  alarmingly  ill,  could  eat  nothing  at  the  ranch 
near  by,  and  could  hardly  be  induced  to  proceed.  Still, 
we  thought  it  very  important  to  be  at  Wallula  to  catch 
the  up-river  boat  to  Lewiston.  Colonel  Watkins  must 


GOOD  ACCOUNTS. 


85 


go  to  Lapwai  to  inspect ; and  then  together  we  were 
bound  for  the  Spokane,  and  beyond.  So  we  went  to  the 
Columbia’s  bank,  and  called  loudly  for  the  promised 
canoe.  At  last  two  of  Smohollie’s  Indians  pushed  out 
in  the  darkness,  and  paddled  over  a long  " dugout.” 
The  captain  was  carried  and  assisted  to  a comfortable, 
though  narrow,  bed,  midway.  The  Indians  and  Pambrun 
managed  the  boat;  while  Colonel  Watkins  and  I told 
stories,  and  sung  our  songs,  till  Captain  Wilkinson  was 
soon  sufficiently  recovered  to  join  us.  Past  the  dark 
places,  past  the  islands,  past  the  Homely  Rapids,  fright- 
ful to  our  small  craft  by  their  roaring,  past  the  mouth 
of  the  Snake,  — we  shot  along,  wind,  current,  and  Indian 
paddle,  all  in  our  favor.  It  was  two  o’clock  in  the  clear 
morning,  the  dawn  just  appearing  in  the  east,  when  we 
pulled  up  at  the  little  hamlet  of  Wallula.  The  gang- 
plank was  just  about  to  be  drawn  in  when  the  night- 
travellers  stepped  upon  it,  and  hurried  to  the  steamer’s 
deck. 

"Grant  me  fifteen  minutes  for  messages  below  and 
eastward?”  "Yes,  yes;  hurry,”  the  captain  answers. 
In  less  time  we  are  off  for  Lewiston . Our  sick  friend, 
who  was  supperless  at  the  Yakima,  now  is  all  right, 
eating  a hearty,  early  breakfast  in  the  steamboat  kitchen. 
This  is  the  morning  of  the  12th  of  June. 

We  again  get  good  accounts  of  matters  among  the  Nez 
Perces,  so  that,  worn  out  with  the  great  fatigue  of  the 
journey,  without  anything  to  disturb  our  repose,  we  were 
soon  fast  asleep ; while  the  steamer  toiled  on,  without  our 
care  or  help,  making  slow  headway  against  the  powerful 
current  of  the  Snake  River. 


86 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

JOSEPH  AND  HIS  SURROUNDINGS.  — SCENERY.  — CURIOUS 
FORMS.  — ALMOTA.  — LEWISTON.— A FRONTIER  VILLAGE.— 
ARMY  OFFICERS.  — CHARLIE  MONTEITH.  — PEACE.  — THE 
OMINOUS  SIGN.  — L.  P.  BROWN’S  ADVICE.  — THE  LARRY  OTT 
CASE.  — THE  SECOND  LETTER  OF  ALARM.— WEST  AND  THE 
BROTHER  OF  LOOKING-GLASS. —THE  MASSACRES. 

THE  Snake  river  comes  into  the  Columbia  a few  miles 
above  Wallula.  The  scenery  along  the  Snake  is 
unique  and  striking.  The  banks  are  very  high  and  very 
broken,  with  surfaces  worn  into  all  kinds  of  fantastic 
forms.  The  snows,  near  at  hand,  the  rains,  the  winds, 
and  the  extraordinary  risings,  when  the  freshets  from  the 
supplying  mountains  come  tumbling  down  into  this  im- 
mense and  crooked  drain,  shape  the  shores,  and  mould 
into  variegated  forms  the  contiguous  receding  hills.  It 
takes  but  little  fancy  to  see,  as  you  look  left  and  right, 
sleeping  giants,  reclining  beauties,  or  figures  of  the  ani- 
mal creation  of  all  descriptions,  each  carved,  as  it  were, 
from  the  earth-masses,  and  lying  there,  covered  with  a 
grassy  spread,  in  everlasting  repose.  The  scenery  is 
wild,  untamable  ; in  spite  of  immigration  it  will  be  so  for 
a century.  Here  and  there  we  find  a landing,  where  emi- 
grants and  prospectors  are  getting  olf  the  steamer. 

Almota,  a year  ago,  appeared  pretty  well  out  of  the 
world.  The  son  of  the  famous  missionary,  Mr.  Spald- 
ing, had  here  but  his  one  cottage  and  his  lovely  wife. 


LEWISTON. 


87 


Now,  there  are  many  houses.  His  own  house  has  be- 
come a hotel,  and  he  is  boarding  at  it.  Almota  has 
become  a large  supply  depot  for  a back  country,  fast  set- 
tling. This  and  a few  other  landings  make  a slight  im- 
pression on  this  large,  grand,  almost  boundless  country ; 
but  they  no  more  remove  from  the  traveller’s  mind  a feeling 
of  the  vastness  of  the  expanse  around  him  than  do  a few 
ships  at  sea,  as  he  paces,  day  by  day,  his  steamer’s  deck. 

By  eight  o’clock,  June  14,  we  came  into  view  of  the 
distant  village  ; we  say  " village,”  for,  however  large,  as  a 
mining  town,  Lewiston  may  have  been,  after  the  change  of 
the  mining  interest  to  other  centres  of  fortune-hunting  and 
gambling,  the  city  of  Lewiston  has  relapsed  into  its  normal 
condition  of  a frontier  village.  The  hills  behind  this  pretty 
town,  and  close  to  it,  look  like  regularly  constructed  for- 
tifications. The  line  of  the  table-land  is  just  above  the 
chimneys,  and  nearly  horizontal ; and  the  white  fence  of  a 
burying-place  on  the  top,  in  the  distance,  adds  to  the 
idea  of  a constructed  parapet.  Lewiston  has  a mill,  a 
newspaper,  and  several  well-to-do  merchants. 

As  we  neared  the  landing,  the  people  of  the  village 
were  seen  in  waiting.  As  soon  as  our  boat  touched  the 
shore,  Colonel  Perry,  Major  Trimble,  Lieutenant  Bomus, 
and  Charlie  Monteith,  the  brother  of  the  Indian  agent, 
sprang  on  board,  and  gave  us  a welcome.  Colonel  Perry 
was  still  in  command  at  Port  Lapwai.  He  has  a promi- 
nent part  in  this  history,  and  deserves  special  notice.  His 
rank,  not  the  brevet,  is  that  of  Captain  of  company  "F,” 
First  United  States  Cavalry.  He  is  a little  over  six  feet 
in  height,  and  very  erect.  He  shows  a clear  Saxon  eye, 
and  usually  wears  a pleasant  smile,  — pleasant,  but  with 


88 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


a reserve  in  it.  One  hardly  can  command  men,  and  go 
into  battle  often,  and  still  keep  an  altogether  sunshiny 
face. 

Major  Trimble  is  another  who  has  a brevet  title. 
His  ground  rank  is  that  of  Captain  of  company  " C.” 
His  post  proper  was  Walla-Walla.  It  will  be  remem- 
bered that  he  came  with  his  company  to  Lapwai,  march- 
ing overland,  a month  before.  He  was  first  brought  up 
to  Lewiston,  to  be  where  he  could  strengthen  Fort  Lap- 
wai, or  the  troops  near  Wallowa,  as  need  might  require. 
But,  as  our  councils  with  Joseph  were  in  progress,  he  was 
sent  on  to  Fort  Lapwai,  partly  for  the  comfort  of  his 
men,  and  partly  that  Joseph  and  his  Indians  might  see, 
during  the  conference,  a larger  force  than  the  ordinary 
garrison.  With  Trimble  added,  we  had  about  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  men,  all  told,  to  garrison  the  post. 

Lieutenant  Bomus  was  the  post  Quartermaster ; after- 
wards to  serve  in  a more  important  position  at  Lapwai 
and  Lewiston.  Such  were  the  friends  who  came  to  meet 
the  steamer  at  the  landing. 

" How  is  Joseph,  Colonel?”  I asked. 

" All  right,  at  last  accounts.  The  Indians  are,  I think, 
coming  on  the  reservation  without  trouble.” 

Mrs.  Perry  was  here,  to  go  down  on  the  steamer  to  the 
Dalles.  Young  Monteith,  the  clerk,  had  come  to  meet 
Colonel  Watkins,  the  inspector.  He  told  the  same  story : 
"All  quiet  at  last  accounts ; Indians  seem  to  be  acting  in 
good  faith  ; guess  they  will  make  no  trouble.”  Mr.  Co- 
burn, and  a member  of  the  firm  of  Loewenburg,  and 
several  of  the  other  citizens  of  Lewiston,  united  in  simi- 
lar testimony : " The  Indians  are  all  right.”  I said  at 


THE  LAPWAI  VALLEY. 


89 


first  to  Colonel  Watkins  that  I saw  no  need  of  my  going 
farther  at  this  time  toward  Lapwai.  Colonel  Perry  could 
now  attend  to  all  matters,  and  I would  wait  at  Lewiston  for 
Watkins  to  finish  his  inspection  at  the  Lapwai  agency, 
and  he  could  pick  me  up  on  his  return.  Then  we  would 
proceed  to  the  Spokane  and  Colville  country,  obey  our 
Washington  instructions,  fulfil  our  promises  to  the  Co- 
lumbia River  renegades,  and  settle  the  vexed  questions  of 
the  up-country. 

But  Perry  said,  " You  had  better  go  with  me.  It  will 
be  pleasanter  for  you  to  wait  at  the  fort.” 

The  Colonel’s  kind  hospitality  was  at  last  accepted, 
and,  leaving  Lewiston  early  in  the  afternoon,  we  rode  the 
twelve  miles  together,  behind  his  spirited  and  handsome 
horses. 

After  the  first  considerable  ascent  we  sped  away  for 
six  or  seven  miles,  on  a beautiful  table-land,  over  the 
finest  of  roads,  even  and  hard,  so  that  we  made  excellent 
time.  Ahead  were  the  usual  rolling  hills  of  the  Snake 
region,  to  the  left  the  Clearwater,  and  beyond  the 
almost  mountain  ridge  that  hides  the  new  town  of  Mos- 
cow ; behind  was  the  Lewis  River,  or  Snake  proper,  and 
all  that  vast  succession  of  indescribable  breakages  of  the 
earth’s  surface,  with  edges  smoothed  off  and  softened 
down ; peaceful  out-door  pictures,  too  numerous  for  the 
pencil,  but  kaleidoscopic  and  pleasant  to  the  eye. 

Soon  appeared  the  charming  Lapwai  Valley,  always 
fresh  and  new  in  the  sunlight.  Down  the  long  descent 
we  whirled,  then  turned  to  the  right,  taking  a half 
mile’s  survey  of  the  tented  post,  and  in  a few  moments 
were  passing  the  gate,  which  had  been  opened  by  the 


90 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


quick  courtesy  of  the  guard.  My  former  aid-de-camp, 
Lieutenant  Boyle,  had  been  promoted  since  we  last  saw 
him.  He  was  here  with  his  beautiful  family,  no  longer 
Lieutenant,  but  Captain  Boyle,  in  command  of  a Twenty- 
First  Infantry  company.  He  is  a sturdy  and  loyal 
officer.  No  war-cloud  now ; so  the  meeting  at  the  fort 
was  most  pleasant.  Here  was  Trimble’s  lieutenant,  a 
colonel  by  brevet,  — whose  title,  given  to  honor  a brave 
man,  served  rather  to  confuse  outsiders, — Colonel  Parnell, 
by  "ground  rank”  Lieutenant  Parnell.  Here,  also,  was 
Lieutenant  Theller,  a generous,  brave  man,  with  a warm 
heart.  He  had  quarters  near  the  Lapwai  Creek,  where  he 
and  his  wife  were  wont  to  give  cheery  hospitality  to  the 
officers  of  the  Department,  as  they  came  and  went  on 
duty.  You  could  see  him  often  trying  the  speed  of  his 
stallion  on  the  race-course,  just  west  of  the  garrison. 

On  my  arrival  all  seemed  as  peace-like  and  happy  as 
home ; but  toward  evening  there  came  a ripple,  a slight 
warning.  A courier  approached  Colonel  Perry,  and 
handed  him  a letter  from  Mount  Idaho.  Here  is  a copy : 

Mount  Idaho,  June  14, 1877. 

Colonel  Perry  : — Dear  Sir  : Mr,  Overman,  who  resides  at  or 
near  the  head  of  Rocky  Canyon,  eight  miles  from  here,  came  in  to- 
day and  brought  his  friends.  They  are  very  much  alarmed  at  the 
action  of  the  Indians,  who  are  gathered  there.  He  says  there  are 
about  sixty  lodges,  composed  of  the  Salmon  River  Indians,  Joseph 
and  his  band,  with  other  non-treaties,  and  that  they  are  insolent, 
and  have  but  little  to  say  to  the  whites,  and  that  all  their  actions 
indicate  trouble  from  them.  Mr.  Overman  is  regarded  as  a very 
truthful  man,  and  confidence  can  be  placed  in  all  his  statements. 
Some  of  the  other  neighbors  have  likewise  moved  over  this  way, 
where  there  are  more  people. 

Yesterday  they  had  a grand  parade.  About  a hundred  were 


THE  OMINOUS  SIGN. 


91 


mounted,  and  well  armed,  and  went  through  the  manoeuvres  of  a 
fight  — were  thus  engaged  for  about  two  hours.  They  say,  openly, 
that  they  are  going  to  fight  the  soldiers  when  they  come  to  put  them 
on  the  reservation,  and  I understand  that  they  expect  them  up 
on  Friday  next.  A good  many  were  in  town  to-day,  and  were  trying 
to  obtain  powder  and  other  ammunition.  Mr.  Scott  told  me  to-day 
that  they  offered  him  two  dollars  and  a half  for  a can  of  powder. 
Up  to  this  time,  I think,  they  have  been  buying  all  the  arms,  &c., 
that  they  could  get,  but  do  not  believe  they  can  make  any  purchases 
now.  They  have  a strong  position  at  the  head  of  the  canyon,  among 
the  rocks,  and  should  they  make  any  resistance  could  give  the 
troops  much  trouble.  I do  not  feel  any  alarm,  but  thought  it  well 
to  inform  you  of  what  was  going  on  among  them.  Early  this  morn- 
ing one  Indian  came  here,  and  wanted  to  know  when  General  How- 
ard was  coming  up.  As  the  stage  came  up  last  night,  they  perhaps 
thought  we  might  know  when  he  would  be  up.  They  are  evidently 
on  the  lookout  for  the  soldiers.  I believe  it  would  be  well  for  you 
to  send  up,  as  soon  as  you  can,  a sufficient  force  to  handle  them 
without  gloves,  should  they  be  disposed  to  resist.  Sharp  and  prompt 
action  will  bring  them  to  understand  that  they  must  comply  with 
the  orders  of  the  government.  We  trust  such  action  will  be  taken 
by  you,  so  as  to  remove  them  from  the  neighborhood,  and  quiet  the 
feelings  of  the  people. 

I write  this  for  your  own  information,  and  at  the  suggestion  of 
many  settlers  who  are  living  in  exposed  localities. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

L.  P.  Brown. 

Colonel  Perry  read  the  letter,  then  handed  it  to  me. 
He,  in  substance,  remarked : "Mr.  Brown,  who  is  a relia- 
ble man,  is  not  greatly  alarmed.  I will  send  out  a de- 
tachment to  bring  us  information ; that  is  best,  is  it 
not?” 

I said,  "Yes,  do  so  by  all  means.” 

This  town  of  " Mount  Idaho  ” is  situated  at  the  further 
edge  of  an  extensive  camas  prairie,  near  the  mountain 


92 


NES  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


spurs  that  lie  between  the  Salmon  and  the  Clearwater 
rivers.  Its  distance  from  Fort  Lapwai  is  sixty  miles, 
in  a direct  south-east  line.  The  "Rocky  Canyon,” where 
Joseph  and  the  non-treaties  were  behaving  so  insolently, 
the  same  distance,  and  nearer  the  Salmon.  This  canyon 
debouches  into  that  furious  river.  They  were,  in  fact, 
near  the  borders  of  the  reserve,  and  apparently  hesitat- 
ing whether  to  go  on  peaceably,  or  stay  off  and  light. 

At  dawn,  of  the  fifteenth,  the  military  detachment  left 
the  fort,  accompanied  by  Joe  Robosko,  the  half-breed  who 
had,  as  interpreter,  just  before  the  last  interview  at  Lap- 
wai, helped  in  locating  Joseph.  The  detachment  moved, 
probably  as  fast  as  the  horses  could  carry  them,  towards 
Mount  Idaho.  The  place  where  the  Indians  were  en- 
camped was  to  the  right  of  the  Mount  Idaho  road  after 
passing  Norton’s  ranch.  It  was  nineteen  miles  from 
Norton’s  ranch  to  Mount  Idaho.  Craig’s  mountain  had 
to  be  passed  before  Norton’s.  Our  detachment  met  two 
Indians,  somewhere  near  Craig’s  mountain,  and  turned 
back  with  them.  These  Indians  were  much  excited. 
They  arrived  at  Lapwai  about  noon.  The  name  of  one 
was  Pu-ton-ah-loo,  and  the  other  was  an  Indian  lad  of 
perhaps  fourteen  years.  We  heard  their  story,  sifting  it 
through  Joe  Robosko’s  interpretation.  It  was  to  the  effect 
that  some  three  or  four  Indians  had  committed  a murder 
near  Slate  Creek,  where  there  was  a scattered  settlement, 
some  forty  miles  beyond  Mount  Idaho.  It  was'  in  some 
way  connected  with  a citizen,  Larry  Ott,  who  had  killed 
an  Indian.  Colonel  Watkins  had  gone  directly  to  the 
Indian  agency  on  our  arrival,  and  remained  there.  As 
was  proper,  then,  taking  the  messengers  with  us,  Perry 


TIIE  MASSACRES. 


93 


and  I started  immediately  for  the  agency,  and  had  the 
Indian  authorities  examine  the  young  men  through  Mr. 
Whitman,  the  official  interpreter.  Mr.  Whitman  con- 
firmed the  Larry  Ott  story.  All  believed  that  serious 
trouble  was  coming.  The  interpreter  and  the  Indian 
agent  thought  it  wise  to  send  at  once  the  actum  head 
chief,  and  Joseph’s  father-in-law,  who  still  insisted  that 
Joseph  would  not  fight,  and  who  volunteered  to  go. 
This  party  rode  off  at  full  speed.  They  had  not  been 
gone  very  long  when  — I think  it  was  half  past  four  — 
the  party  came  back,  running  their  horses,  and  bringing 
with  them  another  communication  from  Mount  Idaho, 
brought  by  the  brother  of  Looking-glass,  and  a half- 
breed  citizen  by  the  name  of  W est. 

The  time  of  busy  preparation  had  come.  As  before  a 
battle,  when  men  are  often  pale  and  thoughtful,  and  little 
is  spoken  by  one  to  another,  so  now,  officers  and  men 
were  mostly  silent,  but  in  constant  motion.  Arms,  am- 
munition, provision,  means  of  transporting,  everything 
was  being  put  in  readiness  with  skilful  and  steady  nerves, 
without  over  haste,  and  without  confusion.  Those  brave, 
true  men  ! How  few  people  there  are  to  appreciate  their 
constancy  in  the  clays  of  trial ! How  few  to  mourn  their 
loss  ! Because  of  the  injustice  our  fathers  and  our  rulers 
have  done  to  the  red  men,  is  it  not? 


94 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

JOSEPH  AND  HIS  MURDERS.  — MESSENGERS  AND  EXCITEMENT 
AT  FORT  LAPWAI.  — THE  GOOD  AND  BAD  DIVIDE.  — COOL- 
NESS OF  DEPORTMENT  DIFFICULT.  — A STARTLING  LETTER 
FROM  MOUNT  IDAHO.  — GENERAL  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  KILL- 
ING AND  WOUNDING.— CALL  FOR  ARMS.  — MURDERS  ON  THE 
SALMON.  — SECOND  LETTER.  — THIS  MEANS  BUSINESS.— WIL- 
KINSON OFF  WITH  DESPATCHES. 

rpHE  brother  of  Looking-glass,  was  a stalwart  Indian, 
JL  with  a very  intelligent,  pleasant  countenance.  Mr. 
West,  who  came  with  him,  was  a man  short  of  stature, 
with  long,  black  hair;  as  I have  said,  a half-breed.  He 
spoke  English  freely,  so  that  we  had  an  account  of  mat- 
ters straight  from  his  lips.  Other  Indians,  friendly  Nez 
Perces,  came  into  Fort  Lapwai  about  the  same  time, 
among  them  several  who  belonged  to  the  Catholic  mission, 
and  who  had  gone  out  with  the  non-treaty  Indians  to  par- 
ticipate in  their  sports  of  gaming,  lance-throwing,  run- 
ning, and  horse-racing.  As  soon  as  they  found  that  these 
malcontents  meant  war,  they  broke  from  them,  and  rushed 
with  their  small  herds  toward  their  homes. 

The  most  intense  feeling  now  existed  at  the  fort  and 
at  the  agency.  A large  group  of  people  were  on  Colonel 
Perry’s  front  porch,  — the  officers,  the  ladies  of  the  post, 
several  principal  friendly  Indians.  The  new-comers  gath- 
ered around  the  steps  of  the  porch,  or  were  sitting  upon 
them.  The  despatch  was  instantly  opened.  One  of  the 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  MURDERS. 


95 


essential  things  in  war-like  operations  is  for  the  com- 
manding officer  to  preserve  his  equipoise  under  all  cir- 
cumstances, but  there  are  times  when  he  is  likely  to  be 
moved  more  or  less  by  the  contagion  of  others’  excite- 
ment. This  was  such  an  occasion.  So  that  I made  an 
unusual  effort  to  be  perfectly  cool  and  self-possessed, 
while  I read,  first  to  myself,  afterwards  to  the  officers, 
the  following  startling  communications  : 

Mount  Idaho,  7 A.  M.,  Friday,  June  15,  77. 
Commanding  Officer  Fort  Lapwai. 

Last  night  we  started  a messenger  to  you,  who  reached  Cotton- 
wood House,  where  he  was  wounded  and  driven  back  by  the  Indians. 
The  people  of  Cottonwood  undertook  to  come  here  during  the  night ; 
were  interrupted,  all  wounded  or  killed.  Parties  this  morning  found 
some  of  them  on  the  prairie.  The  wounded  will  be  here  shortly, 
when  we  will  get  full  particulars.  The  whites  are  engaged,  about 
forty  of  them,  in  getting  the  wounded.  One  thing  is  certain : we 
are  in  the  midst  of  an  Indian  war.  Every  family  is  here,  and  we 
will  have  taken  all  the  precautions  we  can,  but  are  poorly  armed. 
We  want  arms  and  ammunition  and  help  at  once.  Don’t  delay  a 
moment.  We  have  a report  that  some  whites  were  killed  yesterday 
on  the  Salmon  River.  No  later  word  from  them;  fear  that  the 
people  are  all  killed,  as  a party  of  Indians  were  seen  going  that  way 
last  night.  Send  to  Lewiston,  and  hasten  up.  You  cannot  imagine 
people  in  a worse  condition  than  they  are  here.  Mr.  West  has  vol- 
unteered to  go  to  Lapwai ; rely  on  his  statements. 

Yours  truly,  L.  P.  Brown. 

The  next  letter  was  received  at  the  same  time.  It 
speaks  for  itself : 

Mount  Idaho,  8 A.  M.,  June  15,  77. 
Commanding  Officer  Fort  Lapwai. 

I have  just  sent  a despatch  by  Mr.  West,  half-breed,  Since  that 
was  written  the  wounded  have  come  in,  — Mr.  Day  mortally ; Mrs. 
Norton  with  both  legs  broken;  Moore  shot  through  the  hip;  Norton 
killed  and  left  in  the  road,  six  miles  from  here.  Teams  were  at- 


98 


KEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


tacked  on  the  road  and  abandoned.  The  Indians  have  possession 
of  the  prairie,  and  threaten  Mount  Idaho.  All  the  people  are  here, 
and  we  will  do  the  best  we  can.  Lose  no  time  in  getting  up  with  a 
force.  Stop  the  stage  and  all  “through  travellers.”  Give  us  relief, 
and  arms  and  ammunition.  Chapman  has  got  this  Indian  [the  mes- 
senger, Looking-glass’  brother],  hoping  he  may  get  through.  I 
fear  the  people  on  Salmon  have  all  been  killed,  as  a party  was  seen 
going  that  way  last  night.  We  had  a report  last  night  that  seven 
whites  had  been  killed  on  Salmon.  Notify  the  people  of  Lewiston. 
Hurry  up ; hurry  ! Rely  on  this  Indian’s  statement ; I have  known 
him  for  a long  time ; he  is  with  us.  L.  P.  Brown, 

P.  S.  — Send  a despatch  to  town  for  the  express  not  to  start  up, 
unless  heavily  escorted.  Give  the  hearer  a fresh  horse,  and  send 
him  hack.  Chapman. 


" Well,  colonel,  this  means  business  ! ” 

"Yes,  sir.” 

" Are  your  men  in  readiness  ? ” 

" Everything  but  some  transportation  that  must  come 
from  Lewiston.” 

" Captain  Wilkinson,  get  ready  to  go  to  Walla-Walla 
at  once.” 

Lieutenant  Bomus  had  his  buggy  at  the  door  of  his 
quarters  in  less  than  ten  minutes. 

During  the  few  minutes  of  preparation  I examined  Mr. 
West,  who  corroborated  all  the  statements  of  the  letters, 
and  gave  the  graphic  accounts  of  an  eye-witness  of  the 
murders  and  outrages  which  had  been  committed.  Then 
immediately  the  messages  and  letters  from  Messrs.  Brown 
and  Chapman  were  sent  to  the  Indian  agency  for  the  in- 
formation of  Colonel  Watkins,  the  inspector,  and  Mr. 
Monteith,  the  agent ; and  the  following  letter  was  sent 
by  the  half-breed  to  Mount  Idaho : 


WILKINSON  OFF  WITH  DESPATCHES. 


97 


Fort  Lapwai,  I.  T.,  June  15,  ’77,  5 P.  M. 

Mr.  Brown. 

Dear  Sir  : Your  two  despatches  are  received.  I have  sent  for- 
ward two  companies  of  cavalry  to  your  relief.  They  leave  to-night. 
Other  help  will  be  en  route  as  soon  as  it  can  be  brought  up.  I am 
glad  you  are  so  cool  and  ready.  Cheer  the  people.  Help  shall  be 
prompt  and  complete.  Lewiston  has  been  notified. 

Yours  truly,  O.  O.  Howard. 

Wilkinson  and  Bomus  are  ready  to  start.  Wilkinson’s 
memoranda : 

I.  Order  through  Colonel  Grover,  Captain  Whipple’s 
two  cavalry  companies  from  Wallowa  to  Lapwai  by  short- 
est route.  (They  march.) 

II.  Send  Infantry  from  Walla- Walla  and  vicinity  to 
Lapwai.  (By  steamer.) 

III.  Forward  despatch  to  Colonel  Wood  at  Portland, 
for  more  troops  and  three  months’  supplies,  to  be  sent  to 
Lewiston  at  once. 

IY.  Send  despatches  of  information  to  General  Mc- 
Dowell, San  Francisco,  and  request  twenty-five  scouts. 

All  the  details  of  these  memoranda  were  set  in  order 
and  executed.  To  do  it,  Captain  Wilkinson  rode  with 
Lieutenant  Bomus  to  Lewiston,  and  then  got  a special 
conveyance  from  the  stage  line,  and  kept  up  the  most 
rapid  riding,  making  his  one  hundred  and  ten  miles  to 
Walla-Walla  by  eight  a.  m.  of  the  next  morning.  There 
he  came  upon  a line  of  the  telegraph,  and  communicated 
accordingly.  As  the  information  then  appeared  it  was 
put  into  the  despatch  to  Division  Head-quarters  : " Indians 
began  by  murdering  a white  man  in  revenge  for  a murder 
of  his,  killing  three  others  at  the  same  time.”  [This 
statement  will  have  to  be  modified  now,  though  there 
7 


98 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


seems  still  to  be  some  connection  between  the  first  murder 
and  the  death  of  the  Indian  previously  killed  by  a white 
man  in  the  Salmon  River  country.]  " Since  then  they 
have  begun  war  upon  the  people  near  Mount  Idaho. 
Captain  Perry  started  with  two  companies  of  cavalry  for 
them.  Other  troops  are  being  brought  forward  as  fast 
as  possible.  Give  me  authority  for  twenty-five  scouts. 
Think  we  will  make  short  work  of  it.” 

The  work  did  not  appear  short  to  the  impatient  coun- 
try. Yet,  as  the  history  shows,  a month’s  battling  on 
fields  wide  apart,  and  three  months’  pursuing,  brought 
us  through. 

Lieutenant  Theller  had  been  added  to  Perry’s  com- 
mand, — four  resolute  young  men,  including  Trimble  and 
Parnell.  They  were  all  married.  Mrs.  Perry  had  just 
gone  down  the  river,  and  was  sent  by  her  husband’s 
despatch  to  Mrs.  Howard,  at  Portland.  Mrs.  Trimble 
and  her  children,  and  Mrs.  Parnell,  were  at  Walla- Walla ; 
only  Mrs.  Theller  was  there  to  suffer  the  added  trial  of 
parting  with  her  beloved  husband  for  battle,  or  it  might 
be  for  death.  Perry  and  I stood  there  in  the  doorway 
of  his  hospitable  home,  and  looked  into  each  other’s  faces. 
How  tall,  strong,  and  confident  he  appeared.  He  set 
out  with  one  hundred  cavalry  men  less  ten,  — too  few  for 
the  work  ahead,  but  the  best  we  could  do.  We  cannot 
wait  even  a few  days  for  reinforcements,  for  if  we  do  the 
murders  will  continue.  " Hurry  ! hurry  ! ” is  the  citizens’ 
watchword  and  earnest  call.  We  could  not  send  more 
from  Port  Lapwai,  for  no  smaller  force  than  the  twenty 
men  of  Captain  Boyle  would  answer  for  defence  of  goods 
and  home  and  agency  and  Lewiston.  The  best  we  could 
do,  these  ninety  men  ! 


COLONEL  PERRY  STARTS  WITH  TROOPS. 


99 


" Good-by,  general ! ” 

" Good-by,  colonel.  You  must  not  get  whipped.” 

" There  is  no  danger  of  that,  sir.”  And,  indeed,  there 
did  not  then  seem  to  be  much  danger  of  such  a catas- 
trophe, with  trained  and  disciplined  troops  against  these 
Indians  as  yet  unused  to  war  with  white  men. 

When  the  husband  buckles  on  his  armor  and  sets  out 
for  war,  it  is  the  wife  left  behind  avt1io  requires  patience 
and  fortitude.  She  busies  her  fingers  to  keep  the  blood 
in  motion,  and  keep  it  from  stopping  at  the  heart  at  every 
ring  of  the  door-bell.  To  her  the  ruthless  newspapers 
are  a terror,  a cruelty. 

It  was  my  duty,  at  this  time,  to  remain  and  wait  for 
the  soldiers  to  come  together  from  distant  places,  and 
carry  them  forward  should  they  be  needed  at  the  front, 
and  watch  against  other  firebrands  of  dissatisfaction  and 
outbreak  among  the  thousands  of  savages  apparently  at 
peace.  To  remain  behind  and  wait — it  awakened  in  my 
heart  unusual  sympathy  for  other  Avatchers,  nay,  a painful 
feeling  hard  to  bear. 

O 

So,  to  busy  myself,  find  relief  for  anxiety,  I read  and 
wrote,  studied  maps,  counted  days  for  the  marches,  paced 
my  room,  and  Avatched  every  flying  rumor. 

Stoicism  is  properly  condemned.  Imperturbability  is 
a suspicious  accomplishment,  akin  to  deadness  of  love. 
Still  the  exhibition  of  these  qualities  is  very  properly  de- 
manded of  the  soldier.  They  are  not  so  hard  of  acquire- 
ment in  danger ; but  to  remain  at  home  and  Avait,  amid 
the  pulsations  of  extreme  anxiety  — Avho  but  woman  is 
equal  to  the  task? 


100 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  LODGES.  — A CHAPTER  OF  HORRORS.  — LARRY 
OTT.  — SAMUEL  BENEDICT.  — AN  INDIAN  KILLED.  — HARRY 
MASON.  — TWO  INDIANS  WHIPPED.  — MANUEL’S  RANCH.  — 
THE  INDIANS’  CAMP.— MR.  JARRETT’S  ALARM  AND  ESCAPE. 
-RICHARD  DIVINE  KILLED,  JUNE  13.  — HENRY  ELFERS  AND 
OTHERS  KILLED,  JUNE  14.  — AUGUST  BACON  AND  OTHERS 
KILLED,  THE  15TH.  — MRS.  MANUEL  KILLED.  — CROOKS’  IN- 
TERVIEW WITH  MURDERERS.  — THE  NORTON  FAMILY  AND 
FRIENDS  KILLED  OR  WOUNDED.— CRUSHING  A CHILD. 

IKE  an  arrow  shot  into  the  air,  that  may  return  and 


I J wound  you ; like  a plunge  to  save  life,  which  may 
cost  you  your  own,  such  was  the  venture  in  the  quick 
movement  of  Perry’s  command  toward  the  hostile  camp. 

A fine  body  of  men  they  appeared  as  they  rode  away 
that  night.  A few  horses  plunged,  and  reared,  and 
"bucked,”  but  the  men  soon  mounted,  and  had  them 
under  control.  They  rode  off  into  the  darkness,  toward 
the  Camas  Prairie  and  Mount  Idaho.  While  they  toil 
along  the  muddy,  hilly  road,  for  the  seventy  or  eighty 
miles  before  reaching  their  enemy,  let  us  look  through 
subsequent  glasses  and  see  if  we  cannot  make  out,  and  set 
down,  what  had  really  been  happening  in  that  Salmon 
River  country,  and  on  the  extensive  and  fertile  Camas 
Prairie. 

Until  very  recently  the  testimony  had  been  uniform 
that  "Young  Joseph”  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  perpe- 
tration of  the  following  chapter  of  horrors.  Of  late  it  is 


SAMUEL  BENEDICT. 


101 


asserted  by  Arthur  Chapman,  the  interpreter,  that  other 
Indians,  who  were  engaged  with  him  in  the  war,  accuse 
Joseph  himself  of  killing  Mrs.  Manuel,  with  his  own 
hand,  after  others  had  left  her  wounded,  and  entreating  for 
her  life.  I believe  that  this  charge  is  not  true.  His  wife 
was  ill,  and  separated  from  the  main  camp.  Joseph,  it  is 
proved  by  our  own  scouts,  remained  there  Avith  her,  pro- 
testing, till  he  believed  it  too  late, — till  he  felt,  like  many 
who  joined  the  great  southern  rebellion,  — that  in  a Avar 
already  begun  he  must  identify  himself  Avith  his  OAvn 
people. 

The  first  day  of  March,  1875,  Larry  Ott,  Avho  lived 
on  the  south  side  of  Salmon  River,  had  a quarrel  Avith  an 
Indian,  which  terminated  in  the  death  of  the  latter.  The 
grand  jury  had  the  killing  of  this  Indian  by  Ott  under 
consideration,  and  being  unable  to  find  sufficient  evidence 
of  guilt,  brought  in  no  bill.  Ott  was  not  killed  by  the 
Indians,  as  reported,  but  is  still  alive. 

In  August,  1875,  Samuel  Benedict,  who  then  resided 
with  his  family  at  the  mouth  of  White-Bird  Creek,  killed 
an  Indian.  The  circumstances  under  Avhich  the  killing 
took  place  were  as  follows : Late  at  night,  several  in- 
toxicated Indians  came  to  Benedict’s  house,  and  demanded 
admission  ; and,  upon  being  refused,  commenced  breaking 
the  doors  and  windows  of  his  residence.  The  Avife  of 
Benedict  and  her  two  children  made  their  escape  under 
cover  of  the  darkness,  through  a back  window,  waded 
White-Bird  Creek,  and  found  shelter  in  a neighboring 
house. 

Benedict  fired,  and  killed  one  Indian  and  wounded 


102 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


one  or  two  more.  He  is  accused  of  having  sold  liquor 
to  the  Indians. 

Another  citizen,  Harry  Mason,  whipped  two  Indians 
early  in  the  spring.  A council  of  arbitration  met  to  decide 
who  was  in  fault,  Mr.  Elfers,  a white  man,  (I  believe 
chosen  by  the  aggrieved  Indians,)  being  a member  of 
that  council.  The  decision  of  the  council,  as  one  might 
have  predicted,  was  unfavorable  to  the  Indians. 

On  or  about  the  1st  of  June,  1877,  the  Salmon  River 
Indians  collected  on  White-Bird  Creek,  near  Manuel’s 
ranch.  Soon  after,  Joseph  and  his  band  appeared  on 
Camas  Prairie,  ten  miles  west  of,  and  nearer  Mount 
Idaho.  The  white  settlers,  who  had  never  seen  anything 
like  an  armed  hostility  on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  except 
in  a few  individual  cases,  were  not  at  first  alarmed,  but 
supposed  that  the  Indians  were  collecting  preparatory  to 
going  on  the  reservation.  About  the  10th  of  June,  how- 
ever, the  Indians  made  such  warlike  demonstrations  as  to 
seriously  alarm  Mr.  Jarrett,  and  others,  who  lived  near 
the  Indian  camp,  and  they  took  their  families  to  Mount 
Idaho  for  safety. 

The  outbreak  commenced  on  the  afternoon  of  June  13, 
by  a small  party  of  Indians  killing  Richard  Divine,  an  old 
man,  who  lived  alone  on  Salmon  River,  eight  miles  above 
Slate  Creek.  The  next  victims  were  Henry  Elfers,  Rob- 
ert Bland,  and  Henry  Beckroge,  the  killing  of  whom 
took  place  between  the  hours  of  six  and  seven  o’clock  the 
following  morning,  June  14.  These  Indians  then  mounted 
the  horses  of  the  murdered  men,  and  rode  oil’  down  the 
Salmon  River.  They  soon  met  Samuel  Benedict,  who 
was  out  seeking  for  his  cattle,  shot  and  wounded  him. 


crooks’  interview  with  murderers. 


103 


He  managed  to  get  on  his  horse,  and  succeeded  in  reach- 
ing his  home,  where  he  was  followed  and  put  to  death  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  same  day. 

It  is  stated  by  the  Indians  that  but  three  were  engaged 
in  the  perpetration  of  the  above  murders,  to  wit,  the 
killing  of  Divine,  Elfers,  Bland,  Beekroge,  and  the 
wounding  of  Benedict,  two  of  whom  were  Salmon  Biver 
Indians,  named  Mox-Mox  and  Wall-Tits.  The  other  was 
a strange  Indian,  said  to  belong  to  Joseph’s  band. 

After  the  three  Indians  had  wounded  Benedict,  they 
left,  and  came  up  to  Camas  Prairie,  where  Joseph’s  main 
band  was  encamped.  The  three  Indians  referred  to  were 
here  joined  by  about  seventeen  more,  and  immediately 
returned  to  Salmon  River.  . . . On  their  WTiy  they  shot 
and  wounded  J.  J.  Manuel  and  his  little  girl,  killed 
James  Baker,  and  upon  arriving  at  Benedict’s  place,  they 
discovered  Benedict  in  the  attempt  to  escape  across 
White-Bird  Creek.  They  fired  at  him,  and  he  fell  dead. 
At  the  same  time  they  killed  a Frenchman  named  August 
Bacon.  On  the  following  day,  June  15,  they  killed  Mrs. 
Manuel,  William  Osborne,  and  Harry  Mason.  This  is 
the  time  when  Joseph  is  accused  of  participating. 

June  14th,  Mr.  J.  M.  Crooks,  of  Grangeville,  (four 
miles  from  Mount  Idaho,)  rode  to  Joseph’s  camp  at 
Rocky  Canyon,  and  asked  the  Indians  whether  they  in- 
tended to  fight.  They  told  Crooks  that  they  would  not 
fight  the  settlers  provided  they  would  not  help  the  sol- 
diers. . . . The  alarm  about  this  time  became  general, 
and  families  came  rushing  into  the  village  of  Mount 
Idaho,  from  all  directions. 

On  the  evening  of  the  14th,  Arthur  Chapman,  who 


104 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


lived  on  the  Camas  Prairie,  east  of  the  Lewiston  road, 
came  to  Mount  Idaho,  his  horse  covered  with  foam  from 
hard  riding,  and  reported  that  an  Indian  boy  had  come  to 
his  place  and  informed  him  that  the  Salmon  River  Indians 
had  commenced  killing  the  settlers.  Lew  Day  immedi- 
ate^ volunteered  to  go  to  Fort  Lapwai  for  military  aid. 
He  had  proceeded  on  his  way  about  twenty-five  miles, 
when  he  was  fired  upon  by  the  Indians  and  slightly 
wounded.  Seeing  the  impossibility  of  reaching  Lapwai, 
he  started  back,  and  when  he  came  to  the  Cottonwood 
House  (proprietor,  B.  B.  Norton)  he  found  there  Mrs. 
Norton,  Hill  Norton,  Miss  Bowers,  Joseph  Moore,  and 
John  Chamberlain  with  his  wife  and  two  children.  Day 
informed  these  people  of  the  threatening  danger,  and 
caused  them  to  make  immediate  preparations  for  flight  to 
Mount  Idaho,  distant  eighteen  miles. 

They  set  out  in  a wagon,  with  two  on  horseback,  about 
ten  o’clock  at  night,  and  had  gone  on  their  way  to  Mount 
Idaho  about  ten  miles,  when  the  Indians  came  up  in  their 
rear,  and  began  firingat  them.  SoonNorton  and  Moore,  the 
horse  riders,  were  badly  wounded,  and  compelled  to  aban- 
don their  horses  and  get  into  the  wagon.  Their  team- 
horses,  however,  were  soon  shot  down,  and  the  wagon 
came  to  a halt.  Miss  Bowers  and  little  Hill  Norton  got 
out  of  the  wagon,  and  made  their  escape  unharmed.  Mr. 
Chamberlain,  his  wife  and  two  children  attempted  to 
escape  in  the  darkness,  but  had  gone  only  a short  distance 
when  they  were  discovered  by  the  Indians.  Chamberlain 
and  his  little  boy  were  killed.  The  boy  was  murdered, 
according  to  the  mother’s  statement,  by  having  his  head 
placed  beneath  the  knees  of  a powerful  Indian,  and  so 


THE  KILLED  AND  WOUNDED. 


105 


crushed  to  death.  The  other  child  was  torn  from  its 
mother,  and  dreadfully  wounded,  a piece  of  its  tongue 
being  cut  out,  and  a knife  run  quite  through  its  neck. 
Mrs.  Chamberlain  was  repeatedly  outraged  by  the  In- 
dians, and  received  severe  injuries.  The  remainder  of 
the  party  sought  shelter  behind  the  dead  horses.  Here 
Norton  was  struck  by  a ball,  and  killed.  Moore  was  shot 
through  the  hips,  Day  through  the  shoulder  and  leg,  and 
Mrs.  Norton  through  both  legs.  The  Indians  kept  up  a 
desultory  firing  until  about  daylight,  when  they  left. 
Miss  Bowers,  in  the  mean  time,  having  reached  Mount 
Idaho,  the  alarm  was  given,  and  several  men  started  for 
the  scene  of  the  massacre.  The  wounded  men  were 
brought  to  town.  Day  died  the  following  afternoon. 
Moore  lingered  for  about  six  weeks  and  died.  Mrs. 
Norton,  Mrs.  Chamberlain,  and  her  child,  in  time  re- 
covered. 

After  the  first  murders  had  been  committed,  while  Jo- 
seph was  absent,  having  a separate  lodge,  the  murderers 
rode  into  his  camp,  followed  by  White  Bird  and  several 
of  his  men.  One  of  them  made  a wild,  characteristic 
speech,  as  he  galloped  around  among  the  tepees  : "Look 
here  ; see  this  fine  horse  ! Behold  this  rifle,  this  saddle, 
and  all  these  good  clothes  ! Why  do  you  remain  here 
talking  and  talking  ? The  war  has  begun  ! I am  mad  ! 
I have  killed  the  enemies  ! Up  ! Get  your  horses  and 
come  on ; there  is  plenty  of  everything,  if  you  only 
work  for  it ! ” 

White  Bird  took  fire,  and  rode  around  through  the  camp, 
and  cried  for  war.  "All  must  join  now.  The  white 
men  will  never  believe  you  if  you  ask  for  peace.  There 


106 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


is  blood — You’ll  be  punished  if  you  wait.  Everybody 
get  ready  to  fight.” 

After  a few  hours’  delay  Joseph  is  said  to  have  joined 
the  malcontents.  The  peace  men  escaped,  as  we  have 
before  seen. 

When  the  purpose  of  war  had  become  general,  Indians 
from  all  the  bands  of  non-treaties  except  that  of  Looking- 
glass  proceeded  to  commit  the  last  terrible  massacres, 
which  we  have  related.  Then,  doubtless  fearing  the 
swift  approach  of  the  troops,  Joseph’s  lodges  at  Rocky 
Canyon  were  taken  down,  and  he  concentrated  his  whole 
force  ten  miles  further  away  from  Mount  Idaho,  in  the 
White-Bird  Valley,  where  stirring  events  were  soon  to 
transpire. 


THE  CAVALRYMEN  ON  THE  WAY. 


107 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

JOSEPH  AND  HIS  ENEMIES.  — THE  DISTANCE  TO  SCENE  OF  MUR- 
DERS.—THE  CAVALRYMEN  ON  THE  WAY.  — THE  PACK-MULE 
TRAIN.  — NIGHT  MARCH.  — EXCITED  CITIZENS  OF  GRANGE- 
VILLE  AND  MOUNT  IDAHO. —VOLUNTEER  AID. —WHITE-BIRD 
CANYON.— SECOND  NIGHT  MARCH.  — THE  SALMON  DESCRIBED. 
— ALSO  THE  SCENE  OF  CONFLICT.  — MEET  MRS.  BENE- 
DICT AS  THE  TROOPS  DESCEND  THE  CANYON.  — A SAD 
PICTURE. 

THE  distance  from  Fort  Lapwai  to  Mount  Idaho,  by  the 
road  usually  travelled  with  wagons,  is  sixty-two 
miles.  The  people  near  Fort  Lapwai  said  it  was  twenty- 
four  miles  to  the  " Old  Mill,”  thence  nineteen  miles  to  Mr. 
Norton’s  ranch,  thence  nineteen  miles  to  Mount  Idaho. 
Grangeville  is  three  or  four  miles  nearer,  so  that  there 
are  fifty-eight  miles  from  Fort  Lapwai  to  Grangeville,  and 
sixty-two  to  Mount  Idaho.  The  road  is  quite  direct,  and 
running  south-easterly. 

Let  us  look  now  for  a few  minutes  at  our  little  squad- 
ron of  cavalry.  The}'  are  toiling  steadily  along  this  road. 
The  column  appears  long.  That  irregular  moving  mass 
behind  is  the  mule  train.  The  mules,  with  ammunition 
and  supplies  of  every  kind  bound  to  their  " aparejos,”  — 
a large,  soft,  packing-saddle,  — run  in  and  out  of  the 
column,  get  now  a little  ahead,  and  now  behind,  feeding 
by  the  roadside  when  it  is  light  enough  to  see,  — a rest- 
less set  of  creatures,  yet  always  obedient  to  the  sound  of 
the  bell  attached  to  the  neck  of  the  trained  white  mare, 


108 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


who,  herself,  never  seems  to  forget  her  place  or  duty. 
Horses  unaccustomed,  as  these  have  been,  for  some 
months  at  least,  to  journeys,  soon  fret  themselves,  and 
many  of  the  stanchest  and  smartest  of  Perry’s,  that  were 
the  most  restive  at  the  start,  soon  became  weary.  Add 
to  the  ordinary  difficulties  a hilly,  or  mountainous,  road, 
as  this  is,  and  plenty  of  wet,  miry  places,  that  cannot  be 
avoided,  and  the  cavalry  will  even  sooner  show  signs  of 
flagging;. 

Co  C 

Packers,  with  their  trains,  always  find  the  first  day  out 
a difficult  one.  So  was  it  with  our  column.  But  it  toiled 
bravely  on  all  night,  over  Craig’s  Mountain  and  across 
Lawyer’s  Canyon,  and  succeeded  in  reaching  poor  Nor- 
ton’s now  deserted  ranch  by  ten  o’clock  of  the  16th 
of  June.  It  was  near  night  when  the  next  fifteen  miles 
had  been  accomplished. 

Here  the  excited  citizens  gathered  around  the  welcome 
soldiers.  The  Indian  horrors  Avhich  we  have  tried  to  de- 
scribe had  to  be  recited,  and  great  excitement  prevailed. 

Frontier  men  are  very  apt  to  undervalue  the  fighting 
ability  of  Indians.  In  times  gone  by,  when  we  have  been 
better  mounted  and  better  armed  than  the  Indians,  and  as 
well  trained  as  they,  we  have  beaten  them  in  our  conflicts, 
whether  we  have  been  grouped  together  as  soldiers  or 
citizens. 

" Oh,  colonel,  you  can  easily  whip  the  scoundrels  ! ” 
"They  are  cowardly  wretches.  We  could  destroy  them  if 
we  only  had  the  arms  ! ” "You  will  have  to  hurry  up, 
or  you  will  not  be  able  to  overtake  them  ! ” " We  will 

go  and  help  you,  as  many  as  have  arms  and  horses  ! ” 

Such  were  some  of  the  expressions  that  saluted  the 


SALMON  RIVER  DESCRIBED. 


109 


colonel’s  ears  as  he  halted  at  Grangeville,  and  tried  to 
take  cognizance  of  the  situation. 

O 

Grangeville  is  a small  settlement ; consisted  of  a mill 

and  two  or  three  dwelling-houses.  After  a talk  with 

some  citizens  and  volunteers  the  commanding  officer  gave 

© © 

orders  for  a night  march  to  White-Bird  Canyon,  distant 
about  sixteen  miles. 

A few  citizens,  perhaps  ten,  went  with  them  as  auxil- 
iaries, to  show  the  way  and  to  help  shoot  the  foe,  as  yet 
much  despised,  -much  underrated. 

They  came  to  the  top  of  the  canyon  about  an  hour 
before  the  dawn.  Here  Colonel  Perry  called  a halt  till 
dawn.  Our  men  had  been  one  day  and  two  nights 
now  without  their  accustomed  rest,  and  yet  they  were  on 
the  very  verge  of  a battle,  as  we  shall  soon  see. 

I have  before  tried  to  give  some  idea  of  the  Snake 
River ; also  the  Salmon,  one  of  its  tributaries.  From 
the  entrance  of  White-Bird  Creek  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Salmon  the  distance  is  perhaps  forty  miles  by  the  wind- 
ings of  its  course.  Colonel  Perry,  in  the  dim  dawn, 
could  not  detect  the  valleys.  His  eye  beheld  nothing  be- 
yond the  river  but  a succession  of  steeps,  with  pointed  or 
rounded  tops.  These  were  covered  with  verdure,  and 
behind  them  rose  snowy  peaks,  which  were  indistinctly 
mingled  with  the  clouds. 

The  Salmon  is  a torrent  with  mountain  shores.  Its 
feeders,  the  creeks  coming  in  on  the  right  and  left,  are 
short,  and  channel  out  the  mountain  masses  transversely. 
White-Bird  is  no  exception.  The  top  or  head  of  the 
Canyon  is  where  the  scooping  begins.  A horse-trail, 
rather  broad  for  a trail,  but  narrow  for  a road,  leads  from 


110 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


this  " top  ” down,  down,  by  a long  descent,  to  the  rolling 
country  that  forms  the  bottom  of  the  canyon.  When 
the  light  has  come  how  plain  it  all  looks ! A slight 
smoke  from  the  Indian  camp,  not  more  than  four  miles 
off,  as  it  seems,  down  in  the  smooth-looking  bottom.  The 
sides  of  the  canyon  are  steep,  but  they  have  numerous 
crosscutting  ravines,  by  which  you  could  ride  up  if  you 
should  be  repulsed ! 

When  daylight  came  a few  individuals  were  seen  stir- 
ring at  the  Indian  camp.  As  they  came  slowly  out  of 
their  lodges,  each  wrapped  his  blanket  round  his  neck  at 
one  end,  and  allowed  it  to  stretch  to  his  feet,  so  as  to  get 
all  the  protection  against  the  dew  and  chill  of  the  morn- 
ing. Some  moved  to  the  war-horses,  which  were  pick- 
eted near  at  hand,  to  change  them  to  better  grass.  Some 
sought  the  herd  to  relieve  the  night  watchmen,  and  others, 
in  order  to  scan  the  horizon,  which  everywhere  appeared 
above  them,  went  quietly  to  the  tall  pile  of  rocks  that 
flanked  their  encampment,  and  lay  down  beside  the  sharp 
crags. 

Among  the  latter  observers  were  Joseph  and  his  tall 
brother.  Suddenly,  as  the  sunlight,  descending  steadily 
from  the  highest  peaks,  where  it  first  appeared,  began  to 
tinge  with  warmth  and  beauty  the  broad  edges  and  slop- 
ing surfaces  of  the  west  side  of  the  canyon,  the  brother’s 
quick  eye  caught  sight  of  a stationary,  motionless  group 
of  horsemen. 

They  looked  as  if  they  were  painted  on  the  sky,  just 
where  the  hills  touched  it.  " Hu-hugh  ! Horses  ! ” says 
Ollicut.  Joseph  gazes  steadily  at  the  group. 


THE  SCENE  OF  CONFLICT. 


Ill 


" Get  the  white  man’s  glass.  Tell  White  Bird.  They 
are  Indians  up  there  ; J onah's  men  ! ” 

Ollicut  ran  down  the  steep  with  long,  springy  strides, 
sat  down  a moment  by  White  Bird’s  blanket,  wakened 
him  without  disturbance,  and  told  him  that  the  young  war- 
chief  wanted  him  at  the  rocks.  Then  he  went  to  his  lodge 
and  returned  quickly,  fetching  the  field-glass  to  his  brother. 
The  purchase  of  this  glass  at  some  village  or  trading-post, 
just  before  this  outbreak,  perhaps  indicated  an  intention 
to  begin  the  war,  but  perhaps  not.  These  glasses  ena- 
ble drovers  and  rangers  to  distinguish  their  herds  miles 
away.  Old  Blackfoot,  one  of  White  Bird’s  men,  had  exten- 
sive herds  of  wild  cattle,  and  he  was  quick  to  fall  in  with 
any  improvements  in  their  care  and  control.  He  doubt- 
less imitated  the  Chapmans,  the  Crooks,  and  others  who 
herded  cattle  on  his  ranges.  They  were  never  without 
the  glass,  and  why  should  he  be? 

The  three  Indians  now  crouched,  silent  and  motionless, 
among  the  rocks.  Joseph  used  the  glass,  passed  it  to 
White  Bird,  and  said  : 

" Indians  there  ! ” pointing  to  a bluff  to  the  west. 

White  Bird  took  the  glass,  and  quickly  calls  out : 

" Mox-Mox  is  coming.” 

Two  horsemen  were  running  their  horses  from  a low 
height  a mile  distant.  They  constituted  the  outpost. 
Mox-Mox  and  another  Indian  had  watched  together. 
Now,  as  the  glass  was  pointed  toward  the  northwest, 
White  Bird  and  Ollicut  exclaimed,  at  the  same  moment, 

" Bostons  ! Bostons  ! ” 

Colonel  Perry  had  finished  his  brief  rest,  and  was  lead- 
ing his  little  squadron,  in  close  order,  over  the  crest  of 


112 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


the  first  slope  of  the  canyon,  along  the  trail,  while  his 
friendly  scouts  of  Jonah  and  Reuben  were  watching  on  the 
distant  and  commanding  hill  further  toward  the  Salmon 
River,  where  the  quick,  piercing  eye  of  Joseph  had  dis- 
covered them.  Mox-Mox,  having  dismounted  and 
ascended  the  crags,  confirmed  the  tidings  already  re- 
vealed through  the  field-glass. 

Joseph  then  gave  his  instructions  for  the  first  battle. 
Ollicut  was  excited,  though  he  had  been  fierce  for  Avar. 
The  number  of  Perry’s  command  now  appeared  to  him 
great  as  they  filed  over  the  hill  and  doAvn  into  the  shad- 
oavs  of  the  ravine.  He  said  : " Cross  OArer  the  Salmon  ! 
It  is  big  and  SAvift ; they  cannot  catch  us  ! ” White  Bird 
gave  a grunt  of  satisfaction  at  this  safe  proposal,  but 
Joseph  said,  "No;  their  horses  are  neAv;  they  Avill  not 
Avait.  They  Avill  scatter  at  the  sound  of  the  firearms. 
Get  the  people  all  ready,  — Avomen,  children,  and  the 
stuff  oArer  there  ! ” pointing  doAvn  the  White-Bird  Creek. 
" White  Bird,  take  your  men  and  turn  the  Bostons  when 
they  get  to  this  ridge,  turn  around  that  upper  butte.  I 
will  get  OATer  there  behind  the  rocks  and  Avait.  Let  every 
Indian  be  ready  to  mount.  Mox-Mox  and  the  Avomen 
must  take  care  of  the  herd,  and  give  us  horses,  if  ours  are 
shot  down.  Ollicut  must  stay  Avith  me.” 

Soon  there  was  busy  preparation  throughout  the  vil- 
lage. The  lodges  Avere  mostly  taken  doAvn ; the  pack- 
animals  loaded.  The  three  main  groupings  Avere  formed 
as  Joseph  had  directed.  At  first  there  AAras  heard,  in  all 
directions,  the  noise  of  hallooing  and  loud  talking  by  wo- 
men and  men.  Children  screamed  as  they  partook  of  the 
common  excitement,  but  it  Avas  not  long  before  every- 


A SAD  PICTURE. 


113 


thino-  of  this  kind  was  hushed.  With  arms  and  ammuni- 
tion  in  readiness,  with  ponies  standing  patiently  behind 
their  lariats,  which  were  not  fastened,  but  simply  thrown 
on  the  ground,  the  Indians  remained  quietly  waiting  the 
attack  of  the  soldiers. 

Joseph  had  managed  to  conceal  in  the  hollows,  and 
behind  the  buttes  and  rocks,  which  formed  for  him  a 
natural  defensive  line,  every  sign  of  his  force,  particu- 
larly from  any  one  coming  along  the  approaches  to  his 
front.  Were  it  not  for  the  telltale  smoke  arising  from 
the  late  Indian  village  his  arrangement  would  have  been  a 
very  complete  ambush. 

Let  us  return  to  our  weary  soldiers  at  the  head  of  the 
canyon. 

With  daylight  Perry’s  command  began  the  descent. 
Before  reaching  the  more  level  ground  a white  woman, 
Mrs.  Benedict,  made  her  appearance  from  the  slight 
brushwood  cover  by  the  roadside,  holding  a baby  in  her 
arms,  and  having  a little  girl  about  six  years  old  by  her 
side.  The  Indians,  some  of  them,  had  released  her  from 
her  horrid  confinement,  and  she  was  hiding  against  recap- 
ture by  the  more  brutal.  She  was  burdened  with  her 
little  ones,  and  still  more  heavily  with  grief  at  her  hus- 
band’s death,  shivering  with  exposure,  hastening,  as  best 
she  could,  to  a settlement,  the  nearest  being  at  least 
twelve  miles  distant. 

8 


114 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  XVEH. 


JOSEPH.— HIS  WARRIORS  AND  HIS  ENEMIES.  — PERRY’S  FIGHT 
AT  WHITE-BIRD  CANYON.  — THELLER  IN  ADVANCE.  — HEADS 
APPEARING.  — DEADLY  SHOTS.— THE  INDIANS  FLANKING.— 
BATTLE  JOINED.  — ALL  GOING  WELL  AT  FIRST.  — HORSES 
FRIGHTENED.  — BUGLER  SILENCED  BY  DEATH.  — RETREAT. 
— FIRST  RALLY.  — RETREAT  AGAIN.  — MUCH  CONFUSION.— 
THE  ROUT.  — TIIELLER’S  DEATH.  — BEARING  TIDINGS. 

HE  little  column  continued  its  march  till  it  neared 


JL  two  small  knolls, — the  people  here  call  them 
" buttes  ” ; the  Indian  camp  beyond  these  buttes  was 
thought  to  be  only  a portion  of  the  Indians  who  were  on 
the  war-path,  for  the  talk  of  the  citizens  at  Orangeville 
was,  " They  are  getting  away.”  " They  are  crossing  the 
Salmon  several  miles  further  on.” 

As  the  cavalry  approached  the  buttes,  this  was  the 
order  of  the  march,  all  with  carbines  loaded : 

A hundred  yards  before  the  main  force,  with  a little 
squad  of  eight  brave  men,  was  Lieutenant  Theller. 
Colonel  Perry  with  the  citizens,  followed  by  his  own 
company,  was  next ; and  then  Trimble,  some  forty  or 
fifty  yards’  interval  being  left  between  the  companies. 
All  were  marching  in  column  of  fours, — four  men  abreast. 
Suddenly  the  Indians  appeared  "in  skirmish  order,” 
stretched  out  in  an  irregular  line.  Their  heads  popped 
up  from  behind  stones,  from  gulches,  ravines,  and  other 
cover.  Those  on  foot  took  deliberate  and  deadly  aim. 


perry’s  fight  at  white-bird.  115 

Between  the  left  butte  and  the  creek  an  interval  of  at 
least  two  hundred  yards  appeared  to  be  full  of  them  — 
mounted,  and  galloping  well  to  the  left.  It  was  White 
Bird,  obeying  Joseph's  orders,  with  his  flanking  party. 
Indians  always  try  to  effect  a flank  movement. 

While  Theller  began  the  work,  — to  meet  skirmish  by 
skirmish, —the  citizens  ran  to  the  left  butte,  covered 
themselves  by  the  inequalities  of  the  ground,  and  pre- 
pared to  shoot  all  Indians  that  they  could  see,  the 
leading  company  of  cavalry  coming  into  line  near  them, 
taking  position  to  their  right.  Trimble’s  company  was 
ordered  forward  into  line,  and  it  was  done  quickly,  with- 
out closing  the  interval.  Away  the  men  went  to  the 
next  butte,  and  broken,  stony  ground ; and  Trimble, 
looking  after  his  exposed  right  flank,  (for  there  were,  it 
seems,  Indians  enough  to  get  beyond  even  this,)  went 
himself  to  the  extreme  point  where  at  dawn  Joseph  was 
crouching  and  watching.  The  disposition  appeared  good 
under  the  circumstances.  These  cavalrymen  will  have  to 
stay  here  now,  and  fight  it  out  as  the  Seventeenth  Army 
Corps  did  when  its  line  was  enveloped  in  the  same  way 
at  Atlanta,  fighting  on  one  side  of  the  cover,  and  then 
jumping  over  and  fighting  from  the  other  side.  For, 
with  the  cavalry  under  fire,  and  spread  out  in  a line,  it 
was  too  late  to  plunge  ahead,  and  go  through  the  Indians’ 
line  and  camp  towards  the  Salmon  River. 

Perry’s  men  were  firing,  some  of  them  over  the  horses’ 
heads.  The  air  was  full  of  noise  and  smoke.  Some  of 
these  horses  proved  wild  and  unmanageable  at  this  time. 
Just  here,  while  Parnell  watched  the  space  between  the 
companies,  Indians  began  to  press  up  to  a still  higher 


116 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


point,  to  the  right  of  our  whole  line.  They  were  ascend- 
ing the  same  kind  of  ledgy,  rocky  knoll  as  that  now 
occupied.  First  a sergeant  and  six  men  went  thither 
against  them,  and  fired  rapidly.  Those  Indian  flankers 
were  driven  back.  All  this  moving,  so  thrilling  and  ex- 
citing, had  not  taken  ten  minutes.  Perry  and  Trimble 
seemed  to  be  together  for  the  moment.  Their  left  flank 
was  now  suddenly  turned.  Two  of  the  citizens  at  the 
butte  were  wounded ; then  their  companions  gave  way 
and  began  to  fly.  Some  of  the  cavalrymen,  too,  had 
already  taken  the  trail  to  the  rear,  at  a run.  Companies 
were  badly  broken.  Colonel  Perry  endeavored  to  close 
all  in  together,  for  mutual  protection.  The  bugler,  who 
sounds  the  calls,  and  makes  orders  plain  amid  noise  and 
confusion,  was  already  dead,  being  the  first  man  shot. 

"Can't  go  on  to  Salmon  River,  Trimble.” 

"No,  that’s  annihilation.”  Retreat  was  ordered,  and 
was  commenced  in  pretty  good  shape.  Whether  Chap- 
man, of  the  volunteers,  or  Trimble,  or  both,  suggested  it, 
is  not  certain ; but  the  word  was,  " Good  position  yon- 
der ; high  ground  among  the  rocks  can  be  held.” 

Perry  said,  "We  might  try  that.” 

The  little  column,  now  moving  rearward,  turned  to  the 
left,  and  sought  this  position.  But  the  Indians,  too  quick 
for  them,  were  around  them,  and  more  to  spare  ! The 
men  were  panic-stricken,  and  began  to  cry  out,  — 

" Can’t  stay  here  ! Get  back  from  here  ! Take  ridge 
farther  back  ! ” Horses  were  galloping  without  riders. 
Lieutenant  Theller’s  horse  was  gone ; probably  a panic 
had  seized  the  soldier  holder.  Trimble  and  Parnell 
helped  him  to  mount  another,  bareback.  Probably  the 


theller’s  death. 


117 


balking,  plunging,  kicking  animal  had  been  freeing  him- 
self from  his  saddle  in  a furious  way,  thus  adding  to  the 
terror  and  confusion,  if  anything  could. 

All  soon  became  broken,  and  the  rout  was  general,  — a 
kind  of  Bull  Run,  on  a small  scale. 

Perry  and  Parnell  again  found  each  other ; bearing 
over  a little  to  the  left,  Trimble  was  soon  separated,  and 
held  by  the  right  bluffs.  There  was  rallying,  and  short 
resistance,  from  knoll  to  knoll,  up  the  creek.  Indians 
pressed  along  faster  and  faster,  gaining  the  well-known 
trails  up  the  flanks  of  the  White-Bird  Canyon ; while  the 
American  horses  which  our  men  rode  were  every  now  and 
then  put  to  their  speed,  to  prevent  a complete  cutting  off. 

A tough  struggle  for  life  was  made,  just  as  the  soldiers 
came  to  the  steep  and  narrow  trail.  Here,  it  appeared 
by  the  location  of  the  bodies  of  the  men  who  had  been 
killed,  one  after  another,  and  by  the  place  where  Lieu- 
tenant Theller  finally  fell,  that  the  Indians  had  succeeded 
in  heading  them  all  on  the  trail,  and  that  the  most  who 
were  not  already  shot  down,  dead,  or  left  to  die,  had 
deviated  into  the  first  available  ravine  to  the  left.  At 
any  rate,  here,  where  they  so  thickly  lay,  must  have  been 
the  last  resolute  stand  made  by  our  men  in  the  valley  of 
the  White-Bird.  Defeated,  losing  their  brave  officer, 
Lieutenant  Theller,  the  men  who  were  still  alive  rushed 
to  the  top  of  the  canyon  ridge,  as  fast  as  their  horses 
could  carry  them.  Here  Perry  and  Parnell  succeeded 
in  getting  better  order  of  movement  with  the  remnant. 
Perry,  in  an  informal  letter,  written  the  evening  of  the 
battle,  said,  "It  was  only  by  the  most  strenuous  efforts 
of  Colonel  Parnell  and  myself  in  organizing  a party  of 


118 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


twenty-two  men  that  a single  officer  or  man  reached 
camp. 

" The  Indians  fought  us  to  within  four  miles  of  Mount 

O 

Idaho,  and  only  gave  it  up  on  seeing  we  would  not  he 
driven  any  farther,  except  at  our  own  gait.” 

The  first  account  of  our  loss,  brought  me  at  Fort  Lap- 
wai,  showed  over  one-third  of  the  one  hundred  souls 
that  entered  into  this  Indian  battle  killed  and  missing. 

Only  two  or  three  of  the  missing  ever  came  in.  The 
closing  words  of  Perry’s  note  were,  "Please  break  the 
news  of  her  husband’s  death  to  Mrs.  Theller.”  It  is 
easier  to  go  into  a battle  than  to  do  this.  I endeavored 
to  control  myself,  and  break  the  tidings  gently.  But 
Mrs.  Theller  read  them  in  my  face  before  I could  speak, 
and  words  had  no  place.  " Oh,  my  husband  ! ” 

Surely,  peace  is  better  than  war ; is  it  not  ? 

Joseph,  Ollicut,  and  White  Bird,  each  followed  by 
squads  of  Indians,  pushed  their  pursuit  to  within  sight 
of  Grange ville.  Then  they  drew  off,  and  slowly  rode 
back  to  White-Bird  Canyon.  It  was  a wild  and  jubilant 
set  of  lodges  that  day ! Clothing,  arms,  and  ammunition 
were  now  abundant. 

The  first  thrill  of  victory  is  animating,  is  sweet  to 
those  who  conquer ; but  the  humiliating,  chastening  defeat 
is  ever  hard  for  men  to  bear. 


WAITING  AND  PREPARATION. 


119 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


THE  WAITING.  — THE  PREPARATION.  — HOW  TROOPS  ASSEM- 
BLED FROM  ALL  QUARTERS.  — THE  FRIGHT  AT  KAMIAH.  — 
THE  STORY  OF  JONAH’S  WIFE. -PERRY’S  LETTER. 

OR  a time  we  leave  the  victorious  Indians  at  White- 


_1_  Bird,  and  our  discomfited  squadron  at  Grangeville, 
where  Colonel  Perry  collected,  reorganized,  and  put  in  as 
good  condition  as  possible,  for  defence,  his  scattered  frag- 
ments, and  return  to  Lapwai. 

It  is  usually  troublesome  to  turn  back  and  begin  a jour- 
ney anew.  It  is  doubly  so  at  this  juncture.  How  much 
more  satisfactory  if  we  could  say  that  Perry  and  his  com- 
rades had  finished  their  task,  and  afterwards  returned  with 
victory  perched  upon  their  banners  ! And  what  joy  to  us, 
if  the  brave  Lieutenant  Theller,  and  thirty  other  gallant 
soldiers,  who  went  out  on  Friday  full  of  hope  and  life, 
could  ever  have  come  back  ! Still,  such  is  the  fortune  of 
war.  The  hour  of  trial  must  precede  the  hour  of  tri- 
umph. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  I remained  at  the  Lapwai 
garrison. 

As  the  cavalry  companies  departed  in  one  direc- 
tion, Captain  Wilkinson,  with  despatches  for  Fort 
Walla-Walla,  and  for  the  telegraph,  had  hastened  in 
another. 

Early  on  Saturday  morning,  as  we  said,  he  entered 


120 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


that  garrison,  having  accomplished  the  journey  during  the 
night,  and  startled  everybody  with  his  nervous  messages. 
Then  off  sped  a courier  across  the  Blue  Ridge  to  Whip- 
ple’s camp  at  Indian  Valley,  near  the  famous  Wallowa. 
Thus  the  message  was  carried  a hundred  miles  more  be- 
fore  Sunday  was  over. 

Colonel  Whipple,  ready  at  call,  left  a small  squad  to 
take  charge  of  all  luggage,  except  the  bare  necessaries, 
and  set  his  column  of  two  cavalry  companies  in  motion. 
" Slow,”  say  the  excited  citizens,  and  " Slow,”  say  those 
furious  scouts,  Avho  kill  a horse  every  two  days.  May  be 
it  is  slow,  but  when  I said  to  the  waiting  people  at  Lap- 
wai,  " Colonel  Whipple  will  be  here  by  Thursday  night,” 
even  an  experienced  officer  thought  not,  because  the 
horses  were  fresh  and  not  hardened  to  marching.  My 
faith  was  pinned  to  the  man  in  charge.  Dark-browed, 
strongly  built,  apparently  forty  years  of  age,  Colonel 
Whipple  (called  colonel  from  volunteer  remembrance, 
more  properly  the  Captain  of  Company  " L,”  First  Cav- 
alry), was  a reliable  man.  Neither  reluctance  nor  delay 
was  in  the  man,  nor  in  the  three  or  four  officers  associated 
with  him.  Not  hurry  ; a kind  of  breathless  double-quick 
for  an  hour,  with  a lagging  slowness  the  next  hour,  — 
no,  not  that ! But  that  steady,  care-taking,  walking  of 
men  as  well  as  horses,  tramp,  tramp,  from  before  the 
dawn  till  evening  twilight,  day  after  day.  The  heart 
says,  " Faster,  faster,  Colonel,”  but  the  judgment  remem- 
bers the  proverb,  " Too  much  haste  makes  waste  1 ” So 
that  the  steady  pull  is  kept  up.  The  few  soldiei’s  that 
are  at  Fort  Walla-Walla,  those  near  Wallula,  where  the 
up-river  boat  touches,  the  available  men  from  forts 


TROOPS  ASSEMBLED  FROM  ALL  QUARTERS.  121 

Vancouver,  Stevens,  and  Canby,  Townsend,  Klamath, 
and  Harney,  are  also  in  motion ; some  towards  Boise  and 
the  Wiser  River  northward,  but  the  most  towards  me,  at 
Lapwai.  How  quickly  the  mind  fixes  upon  points  that 
must  be  occupied ! Soon  Lapwai,  or  Lewiston,  draws 
like  a loadstone ; not  only  these,  but  the  artillerymen,  on 
the  wing  from  Alaska,  hurried  on  to  the  field  without 
stopping  to  breathe ; and  further  help  from  California 
and  Arizona  ; and  Boise  draws  its  accessions  from  all  the 
forts  within  the  range  of  three  hundred  miles,  yes,  even 
from  the  harbor  of  San  Francisco.  So,  afterwards,  Lewis- 
ton calls  loud  enough  to  be  heard  in  Georgia,  and  the 
Companies  of  the  Second  Infantry  come  flocking  together, 
and  take  the  railway  flight  thitherward.  But  during  all 
this  excitement  and  movement  a very  few  of  us  were  only 
patiently  waiting  at  Lapwai,  and  estimating  the  time 
before  relief  could  come. 

You  can  only  get  suggestive  glimpses  of  the  past ; for 
the  fullest  memory  only  yields  detached  pictures,  leaving 
the  blanks  between  them  for  the  imagination  or  other 
memories  to  fill. 

The  diary  for  June  16  says  : " A request  from  Colonel 
Watkins  for  relief  for  Kamiah.” 

The  immediate  answer  from  me  is  a pictorial  glimpse, 
not  flattering,  but  truthful.  " Despatches  just  received 
and  noted.  Captain  Perry  actually  has  with  him  less 
than  man  for  man.  I depend  on  the  superior  skill  and 
the  experience  of  the  soldiers  to  overcome  the  odds. 
Wilkinson  reached  Walla-Walla  at  ten  in  the  morn- 
ing, to-day  (actually  a couple  of  hours  sooner). 
Steamer  lies  at  Wallula,  and  can  return  to  Lewiston 


122 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


as  well  as  not.  I shall  expect  troops  to-morrow  morning, 
and  will  send  relief  to  Kainiali  as  soon  as  it  will  do  to  de- 
tach ; but  think  the  best  possible  relief  is  the  vigorous 
push  against  the  forces  of  Joseph  at  Cottonwood.  We 
shall  probably  hear  from  Perry  soon.” 

Second  diary  item  for  the  16th:  "10  p.  m.  Jonah’s 
wife  (Jonah  having  gone  with  the  cavalry  to  the 
front)  came  to  the  garrison  with  the  woman  who  ran  in 
from  the  hostiles ; believes  Jonah  killed,  and  all  the 
troops.” 

This  night  was  a peculiar  one,  and  remarkable,  as  it 
gave  a view  almost  accurate  of  the  general  and  particular 
features  of  the  subsequent  engagement  and  disaster  at 
White-Bird  Canyon ; an  account  given  some  sixty  miles 
from  the  scene,  and,  at  least,  six  hours  before  they  hap- 
pened. 

I was  awakened  by  loud  talking  in  front  of  the  porch 
at  Lapwai,  and  went  out.  Jonah’s  wife,  a large-sized 
Indian  woman,  sat  upon  her  horse.  She  was  accompanied 
by  another  woman,  the  one  that,  as  I understood,  had 
just  come  from  the  hostiles.  One  of  the  half-breeds  in- 
terpreted. She  spoke  so  emphatically  and  so  excitedly 
that  she  awakened  everybody,  and  she  declared  : 

" The  Indians  had  fixed  a trap.  All  our  troops  had  run 
straight  into  it.  They  (the  hostiles)  had  come  up  on 
every  side,  and  killed  all  the  soldiers  and  all  the  scouts, 
including  the  friendly  Indians.” 

The  Indian  scouts  were  for  the  most  part  unarmed,  and 
fortunately  were  not  taken  down  into  the  dangerous  part  of 
White-Bird  Canyon.  The  next  morning,  while  Colonel 
Perry  and  our  soldiers  were  actually  fighting  at  the  front, 


perry’s  letter. 


123 


as  the  Indian  woman  had  predicted,  I was  writing  to 
Perry  the  letter,  of  which  I give  a few  extracts  : 

“ Dear  Colonel:  We  have  been  intensely  anxious  here;  for  we 
had  not  heard  a word,  till  the  arrival  of  this  messenger  [the  first 
one  who  had  come,  announcing  their  safe  trip  to  Grangeville]. 
Rumors  have  reached  us  that  you  were  ambuscaded,  and  all  killed. 
Jonah's  wife  came  at  ten  o’clock  last  night  in  great  distress,  with  a 
story  that  a woman  brought  from  the  hostiles.  The  Kamiah  people 
send  messenger  in  great  terror.  Reports  put  hostiles,  men,  women, 
and  children,  at  or  near  the  mouth  of  Cottonwood  Creek,  — Look- 
ing-glass’ camp.  Take  it  for  what  it  is  worth.  As  the  steamer  can 
come  up  from  Wallula  as  well  as  not  I expect  re-enforcements  of 
two  companies,  perhaps  three,  to-day  or  early  to-morrow.  Will  for- 
ward supplies  just  as  soon  as  troops  arrive Be  careful 

about  those  traps.  Of  course  you  will.  They,  the  hostiles,  have 
placed  several  for  you,  as  this  Indian  woman  explains  them  to 
Jonah’s  wife.” 

In  these  times  of  actualities,  when  it  is  difficult  to  make 
even  Christians  believe  in  special  providences,  we  do 
not  attribute  prevision  to  the  two  Indian  women. 

What,  however,  is  made  plain,  is  this,  that  the  Indians, 
or  rather  a part  of  them,  had  a clearly  defined  plan. 

The  Indians  were  to  begin  the  war  by  a series  of  out- 
rages, in  the  usual  style. 

This  would  force  the  troops  from  Lapwai  before  they 
could  be  reinforced  from  distant  points.  It  would  also 
unite  the  malcontents  themselves.  The  grouping  of 
Indian  lodges  suited  this  view;  viz.,  to  separate  for 
the  warfare  upon  the  scattered  inhabitants,  then  to 
assemble  near  the  mouth  of  'White-Bird,  in  order  to 
meet  the  soldiers  of  Lapwai. 

The  ambuscade,  which  the  women  described  in  de- 
tail, was  made,  as  we  have  now  seen,  beyond  the 


124 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


well-placed  buttes,  the  rocky  heights,  and  the  favor- 
ing ravines  of  the  White-Bird  Creek.  The  soldiers 
and  citizens  came ; the  Indians  sprang  their  trap.  De- 
feat and  death  on  the  one  hand,  victory  and  savage  joy 
on  the  other,  were  the  results. 


EXCITEMENT  AT  LAPWAI. 


125 


CHAPTER  XX. 


JOSEPH’S  FIRST  BATTLE,  AND  ITS  EFFECTS.  — EXCITEMENT  AT 
LAPWAI  AND  AT  K AMI  AH.  — JAMES  LAWYER.  AND  THE 
FRIENDLY  INDIAN  ESCORT. —MISS  MACBETH’S  STORY.— 
CHRISTIAN  INDIANS  REMAIN  TRUE  THROUGHOUT.  — FEVER- 
LIKE PANIC  AT  LAPWAI. -BUSY  PREPARATIONS.  — GENER- 
OSITY OF  FRIENDLY  INDIANS.  — GENERAL  HOWARD’S  MARCH. 
— THE  FIRST  DAY. 

T the  beginning  of  an  Indian  war,  while  waiting  for 


jLL  re-enforcements,  one  has  little  idea  of  the  fearful  ex- 
citement which  prevails  at  a military  post  like  Lapwai, 
almost  denuded  of  troops.  Citizens  from  all  directions 
flocked  thither  for  protection,  including  friendly  Indians 
and  their  families,  who,  without  arms  or  ammunition,  came 
from  great  distances  to  us.  There,  too,  were  very  early 
gathered  the  Kamiah  inhabitants,  sub-agents,  teachers, 
and  other  employes.  They  were  escorted  across  the 
prairie  by  James  Lawyer  and  his  people.  The  excellent 
and  successful  lady  teacher  at  Kamiah,  Miss  MacBeth, 
gave  an  interesting  account  of  the  journey  : " The  Indians 
[friendly  ones,  of  course]  treated  us  with  great  delicacy. 
They  rode  well  ahead.  They  watched  sharply  to  the 
rear.  Some  of  them  cantered  off  to  round  hills  on  our 
left ; and  they  searched  out  all  possible  hiding  places 
where  an  enemy  could  lurk,  or  jump  upon  us  suddenly, 
and  they  have  brought  us  all  without  harm  these  sixty  or 
seventy  miles.” 


126 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


The  Christian  young  men,  Indians  whom  Miss  Mac- 
Beth  had  so  succcessfully  taught,  remained  true  to  the 
friends  of  the  government  throughout  the  struggle. 

On  the  eighteenth,  quite  early  in  the  morning,  I wrote 
Colonel  Perry  : " Reports  are  not  favorable,  but  my  con- 
tidence  in  you,  your  officers,  and  men,  makes  me  distrust 
the  stories  of  those  who  ran  away  from  the  field  just  as 
the  battle  began.  I want  a report,  as  soon  as  possible, 
from  some  reliable  person.” 

Then  follows  in  the  record  other  communications,  fuller, 
of  the  sad  events  now  already  familiar  to  the  reader. 

Lewiston  was  made  the  depot  and  base  of  operations. 
Every  available  man  was  set  in  motion.  The  able  and 
experienced  Colonel  of  the  Twenty-first  Infantry,  General 
Alfred  Sully,  was  called  to  Lewiston  for  counsel,  and  to 
the  field  if  his  precarious  health  would  permit.  He  was  in- 
formed : " About  thirty  citizens  reported  murdered  so  far. 
. . . Shall  not  feed  the  enemy  with  driblets,  but  had  to  start 
the  two  companies  to  stop  the  murder  of  men  and  women, 
and  keep  the  attention  of  Joseph  and  White  Bird  while  I 
concentrated  my  troops.” 

I had  great  experience  of  panics  in  the  east.  The  first 
was  that  of  Bull  Run,  where  the  cry  of  " Black-horse  cav- 
alry ! ” would  in  an  instant  clear  the  road,  and  fill  the 
woods  alongside  with  thousands  of  flving  stragglers.  The 
next  was  that  from  Vienna  to  Chain  Bridge,  after 
McClellan’s  return  from  the  peninsula,  ivhere,  in  a dark 
night,  a whole  division  of  General  Simmer’s  was  thrown 
into  complete  disorder.  Everybody  fired  at  random, 
killing  and  wounding  comrades  by  the  scores  and  hun- 
dreds. All  this  was  brought  on  during  the  silent  march- 


CHRISTIAN  INDIANS  REMAIN  TRUE. 


127 


ing  through  a wood,  by  an  accidental  musket-discharge, 
or,  as  some  say,  by  a quarrel  arising  from  the  cavalry 
running  their  horses  upon  the  infantry.  But  nothing 
there  was  so  continuous  and  feverish  as  the  panics 
which  took  place  at  our  small  fort  while  we  were  waiting 
for  the  troops.  On  one  occasion  two  friendly  Indians, 
who  had  been  chased  and  fired  upon  by  some  unruly 
white  men,  men  who  were  jealous  because  these  Indians 
had  better  anns  than  themselves,  rushed  toward  the  fort 
with  the  utmost  speed  of  their  ponies,  and  cried  out  some- 
thing which  the  excited  people  of  the  garrison  took  to 
mean  " Indians  are  coming.”  Defences  were  made  ; the 
little  garrison  was  arranged  for  its  best  resistance.  Some 
of  the  officers  were  at  the  top  of  the  hill,  in  two  minutes, 
looking  out.  Laundresses  and  children,  wild  with  fear, 
and  with  hair  flying,  came  running  to  the  officers’  line  of 
houses.  A resolute  army  lady  gathered  and  took  charge 
of  a large  number  of  women  and  children.  Some  inci- 
dents had  a comic  and  ludicrous  side,  and,  in  the  retro- 
spect afforded  much  merriment : as  ladies  seizing  rifles 
and  pistols,  barricading  doors  and  cellar- ways,  stepping 
into  water-pails  in  dark  passages.  The  alarm  was  serious 
for  a short  time,  until  the  frightening  cause  was  made 
known  through  the  interpreter,  who  had  bravely  met  the 
incoming  Indians,  friendly  ones  we  knew,  and  learned 
the  truth. 

It  appeared  that  some  wicked  white  man  had  pretended 
that  these  friendly  Indians  belonged  to  the  hostiles,  and 
so  ruthlessly  fired  upon  them,  and  sought  to  disarm  them. 

Oh,  how  angry  the  Indians  were.  Explanations  and 
apologies,  after  a while,  appeased  them. 


128 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


On  one  of  these  interval-days  the  ladies  and  the  chil- 
dren who  had  come  to  the  garrison  for  protection  were 
sent  away,  by  the  seemingly  harsh  Department  Com- 
mander, to  Lewiston.  It  was  a hard  order,  and  caused 
much  gossip,  and,  I fear,  the  feelings  of  many  friends  were 
deeply  touched  ; but  it  was  necessary,  for  we  were  getting 
ready  for  vigorous  war. 

Mule  trains  were  hired,  supplies  of  all  kinds  put  in  mo- 
tion, couriers  were  coming  and  going ; Indian  messengers 
and  escaping  soldiers,  with  their  mouths  full  of  exciting 
rumors  and  bad  tidings,  were  arriving  from  a field  seventy 
miles  away.  By  the  21st  of  June  eight  new  com- 
panies of  regular  troops  — little  companies  they  were,  for 
the  whole  made  up  but  a few  over  two  hundred  souls  — 
were  on  the  green  plat  near  the  Lapwai  post.  A small 
organization  of  volunteers,  under  Captain  Paige,  joined 
themselves  to  Whipple,  who  was  in  command  of  the  cav- 
alry, and  were  on  hand  for  Indian  fighting. 

The  friendly  Indians  (Nez  Perces)  generously  brought 
in  their  ponies  for  the  infantry  officers  to  ride ; and,  in 
order  to  mount  the  soldiers  of  the  infantry  and  artillery, 
they  were  ready  to  drive  in  their  herds,  but  officers  of  ex- 
perience in  Indian  warfare  remonstrated.  Colonel  Pollock, 
of  the  Twenty-first  Infantry,  for  instance,  said,  " No  ; the 
ponies  are  Indian-trained,  and  always  go  to  their  friends. 
A pony  will  buck  and  run  away,  and  always  carries  off  a 
good  soldier  with  him?  ” To  such  speeches  I replied,  " It 
is  good,  indeed,  to  have  your  feet  on  the  firm  ground ; 
but  ponies’  feet  will  speed  faster  than  yours  for  the  long 
marches.  At  last,  using  the  ponies,  we  will  wear  them 
out.” 


GENERAL  HOWARD’S  MARCH. 


129 


The  time  from  the  first  news  of  the  terrible  disaster 
at  White-Bird  Canyon  till  the  morning  of  the  22 d of 
June  seemed  long  indeed.  It  appears  long  even  in  the 
retrospect.  Still  it  was  only  four  days.  Our  effective 
men  for  the  front,  now  at  Lapwai,  numbered  but  few 
more  than  two  hundred. 

Captains  Whipple  and  Winters  had  arrived  from  their 
circuitous  and  tedious  march  from  Wallowa.  Captains 
Miller  and  Miles  had  reached  Lewiston,  by  steamboat,  and 
marched  to  Lapwai  with  several  companies  of  the  Fourth 
Artillery  and  the  Twenty-first  Infantry  under  their  charge. 
The  volunteers  before  mentioned,  a little  more  than  twenty 
strong,  under  Paige  of  Walla-Walla,  had  also  joined  us. 
Lieutenant  Bomus,  the  quartermaster  of  the  post,  had 
improvised  a supply  train.  The  numerous  miners,  em- 
ployed in  different  directions  about  Lewiston,  had  been 
thrown  out  of  employment  by  the  Indian  outbreak,  so 
that  their  means  of  transportation,  " the  mule  pack-train,” 
and  their  packers,  became  available  for  our  use. 

The  moment  of  starting  is  solemn.  The  air  is  full  of 
rumors.  The  Indians  who  began  the  war,  and  who  vir- 
tually have  raised  the  black  flag,  are  still  more  numerous 
than  our  column.  The  road  winds  over  hills  and  moun- 
tains, through  ravines,  past  the  mouths  of  cross  canyons, 
which  are  full  of  pits  and  rocks ; a wild  range  which  is 
covered  in  places  with  forest  trees,  and  often  with  thick 

underbrush.  The  few  darins1  messengers  had  skulked 

© © 

through  by  night  from  Colonel  Perry  to  Lapwai.  They 
had  chosen  the  most  roundabout  and  unlooked-for  paths, 
and  they  naturally  magnified  the  dangers  in  order  to 
demonstrate  their  prowess.  Our  whole  force  numbered 
9 


130 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


about  one-fifth  of  a full  regiment,  such  as  those  we  took 
into  the  rebellion.  Still  this  body  of  resolute  men  made 
a fine  appearance.  The  cavalrymen  sat  on  their  horses 
waiting  the  word ; the  infantry,  firmly  grasping 
their  rifles,  were  in  line,  ready  to  move ; the  artillery, 
who  are  really  foot  soldiers,  with  a bright  uniform,  pre- 
sented their  perfect  ranks,  slightly  retired  from  the  rest. 

The  mountain  howitzer,  heretofore  used  for  the  morn- 
ing and  evening  gun,  old  and  worn,  but  " fixed  up  ” for 
the  occasion,  and  the  two  gatlings,  with  their,  as  yet, 
restless  animals,  flanks  the  picture  on  one  side,  while 
Bomus’s  train,  now  an  irregular  body  of  noisy  mules, 
going  backward  and  forward,  hither  and  thither,  unstable 
as  water,  filled  the  space  on  the  other.  The  few  last 
loads  of  commissary  supplies  were  being  strung  to  their 
appointed  aparejos,  already  upon  their  backs,  while  they 
remained  grouped  around  the  storehouse  door.  As  I 
moved  out  with  my  staff  officers,  received  the  salutes, 
and  listened  to  the  orders  that  put  the  small  mass  in  mo- 
tion, a little  of  the  old  thrill  of  war  came  back  to  me. 

There  was  another  notable  spectacle  when  the  column 
wound  its  way  up  the  foot-hills  of  the  Craig  Mountain. 
The  cavalrymen  led  their  horses  two  abreast ; the  in- 
fantrymen followed,  arms  at  ease,  talking,  smoking,  and 
apparently  light  hearted  as  boys  are  when  on  a holiday 
tramp. 

The  mule  column  lumbered  along,  one  and  another  of 
these  indefatigable  burden-bearers  darting  out  and  in, 
now  ahead,  and  now  behind,  to  catch  a bite  of  grass ; 
while  the  bell-mare  kept  up  the  unending  ding-dong  call, 
occasionally  relieved  by  the  packers’  oaths.  These  oaths, 


THE  FIRST  DAT. 


131 


I fear,  are  believed,  by  the  train-men,  to  be  essential  in 
mule-driving,  and  adapted  to  the  stubborn  and  eccentric 
natures  under  treatment ! The  column  was  stretched  out, 
and,  including  its  intervals,  covered  more  than  a mile  in 
extent.  Doubtless,  Indian  scouts  from  Joseph  were 
watching  it  from  the  wooded  crest  ot  the  contiguous 
mountain.  Artillery,  infantry,  and  cavalry,  were  press- 
ing toward  them.  When  Ollicut  had,  a month  previ- 
ously, seen  two  companies  of  cavalry  on  the  banks  of  the 
furious  Grande  Ronde  River,  he  hurried  to  his  brother, 
then  at  Fort  Lapwai,  and  said,  excitedly,  " There  are  a 
thousand  armed  men  coming!”  So,  probably,  at  this 
time,  these  sleepless  scouts  hurried  off  to  the  White- 
Bird  liostiles,  and  reported,  " More  than  a thousand 
armed  men  are  coming.”  I soon  found  it  the  part  of 
wisdom,  for  producing  effect  upon  Indians,  to  elongate  a 
column,  or  stretch  out  a line,  to  its  utmost  capacity. 
They  never  once  attempted  to  break  across  a column,  or 
an  organized  line ; but  always  tried  to  shower  their  skir- 
mishers upon  our  flanks. 

The  memorandum  of  this  day  was  very  brief.  It 
records  the  hour  of  starting,  the  length  of  the  march, 
and  the  camp  for  the  night.  It  does  not  mention  the 
orders,  reports,  and  preparations  for  departure,  the  stor- 
ings at  Lapwai,  the  last  messages  to  friends  at  home,  nor 
the  abundant  news  that  went  rearward  to  furnish  the 
eager  journals.  It  gives  no  idea  of  the  camp  in  the  woods, 
at  the  cross-roads,  where  we  might  be  attacked  before  the 
next  morning ; no  idea  of  how  the  guns  are  put  into 
artillery  positions ; of  how  the  men  encamped  in  line  of 
battle  ; of  the  great  carefulness  in  locating  the  outposts  and 


132 


NEZ  PEECE  JOSEPH. 


pickets  ; of  the  manner  of  grazing  the  animals  in  the  open- 
ings, and  then  securing  them  at  picket  lines,  or  fettering 
the  mules  and  the  bell-mare  during  the  night ; of  how, 
when  all  this  is  done,  the  officers,  hitherto  so  solemn  in 
manner,  and  authoritative  in  tone,  sit  around  the  small 
" mess  kits  ” and  unbend.  Camp  fires  must  be  small 
here,  and  early  extinguished  ; but  this  did  not  hinder  the 
sounds  of  mirth  as  the  story  went  around  the  mess-table. 
Our  wives  and  daughters  at  home  sometimes  declare  that, 
" while  they  are  nearly  dying  of  anxiety  for  us,  we  are 
having  the  best  of  times.”  Isn’t  it  well  for  hearty  work, 
and  clear-headed  thinking,  that  it  is  so  ? 


COLONEL  MILLER. 


133 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

JOSEPH  AND  HIS  WAR.  — MARCH  CONTINUED.  — COLONEL  MIL- 
LER. — REVEILLE  ABOUT  4.30. —NORTON’S.  — A CONSEQUENCE 
OF  RIOT  RUN  MAD.  — SUNDAY.  — AN  HONOR  UNEARNED.  — 
WAITING  FOR  TROOPS. —THE  COUNTRY  DESCRIBED.  — WELL 
WATERED  AS  EDEN.  — THE  NORTH  PACIFIC.— THE  FORWARD 
MOVEMENT.  — VISIT  TO  GRANGEVILLE  AND  MOUNT  IDAHO.— 
THE  WOUNDED. 

HERE  is  the  record  of  the  22d  of  June : " Left  Lap- 
wai  at  12  m.  Column  under  command  of  Captain 
Miller.  Make  camp  at  Junction  Trail  (Mount  Idaho  and 
Craig’s  Ferry  Trail)  at  5.30.” 

Who  is  Captain  Miller?  If  I turn  to  the  Army  Reg- 
ister I find,  " Marcus  P.  Miller,  a captain  in  the  4th 
Artillery,  with  several  brevets,  the  highest  of  which  gives 
him  the  appellation  of  Colonel.  He  was  appointed  from 
Massachusetts,  and  graduated  from  the  military  academy 
of  West  Point  in  1858.  He  served  with  distinction  in 
the  war  of  the  rebellion,  and  heightened  his  reputation 
by  his  brave  work  in  the  Modoc  war.”  He  was  with  me 
then : of  middling  height,  well  knit  for  toughness,  with 
light  beard  and  lightish  hair,  handsome  forehead,  blue 
eye,  and  a pleasant  face. 

There  are  two  classes  of  good  soldiers : one  that  al- 
ways does  the  work  because  it  must  be  done ; and  an- 
other that  manages  to  take  a sincere  pleasure  in  every 
loyal  duty.  Miller  belongs  to  the  latter  class. 


134 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


Next  day  the  reveille  was  sounded  at  a little  past  four. 
We  breakfasted  at  five,  and  were  on  the  march  at  six. 
Norton’s  ranch  will  be  recalled  by  the  reader.  Mr.  Nor- 
ton, the  late  owner,  was  the  man  who  was  trying  to  get 
to  Mount  Idaho  with  his  family,  when  he  and  others  were 
killed,  and  his  wife  sadly  wounded.  We  came  to  his 
house  about  half-past  one  o’clock,  having  marched  nine- 
teen miles.  Mr.  Norton  had  kept  a sort  of  hotel.  His 
house  was  now  deserted.  The  Indians  had  rummaged 
everything ; what  the  family  had  left  here  was  found  in 
complete  disorder.  Who  can  realize  what  it  is  to  have 
savage  warfare  break  upon  a family  with  little  or  no 
warning ; to  kill  and  wound  and  scatter  like  this  ? It  was 
worse  than  the  desolation  spoken  of  in  the  Scriptures, 
where  one  shall  be  taken  and  another  left.  None  were 
left ! There  were  the  clothes,  cut  and  torn  and  strewn 
about ; the  broken  chairs ; the  open  drawers ; the  mix- 
ings of  flour,  sugar,  salt,  and  rubbish,  — the  evidences 
indeed  of  l’iot  run  mad.  Do  we  wonder  that  those  who 
have  passed  through  such  experience  have  been  slow  to 
forget  and  forgive  " mad  Indians  ” ? 

The  force  was  ordered  to  encamp  here.  The  next  day, 
the  twenty-fourth,  was  Sunday.  As  I did  not  move  my 
main  body  this  day  the  story  was  circulated,  and  pub- 
lished, that  I halted  because  it  was  the  Sabbath,  and 
spent  precious  time  in  giving  religious  exhortation  to  my 
command,  and  in  the  distribution  of  some  three  hundred 
Bibles  ! Of  course  this  would  not  hurt  my  reputation 
with  a vast  number  of  my  Christian  friends  were  it  liter- 
ally true,  and  under  ordinary  circumstances  would  have 
been  proper  enough. 


Norton’s  ranch. 


135 


But  as  it  was  not  the  case,  I may  speak  of  the  occasion 
of  the  halt.  First : I was  not  then  quite  sure  of  the 
position  of  the  Indians.  This  I must  ascertain  beyond 
question,  in  order  to  determine  the  direction  of  my 
movement. 

Perry,  from  Grange ville,  came  to  us  during  the  day, 
and  brought  us  the  desired  information.  The  Indians 
were  still  in  or  near  the  White-Bird  Canyon,  not  far  from 
the  scene  of  the  disaster. 

Next : I wished  to  send  Captain  Trimble,  with  his  cav- 
alry company,  beyond  the  hostile  Indians  to  Slate  Creek. 
They  were  obliged  to  move  by  a difficult  and  circuitous 
route.  I knew  it  to  be  wise  for  my  main  column  to  re- 
main quiet,  so  as  not  to  " flush  the  game,”  and  press  it 
upon  a small  company  of  brave  citizens,  who  had  been 
standing  on  the  defensive  in  a little  fort  of  their  own  con- 
struction, and  sending  to  Mount  Idaho  for  help.  Again  : 
I meant  that  there  should  be  no  question,  when  at  last  I 
should  take  the  offensive  against  the  savages,  of  my  hav- 
ing a superiority  of  numbers.  Therefore,  for  the  addi- 
tional reason  that  the  troops  at  Lewiston  might  come  up, 
I gladly  delayed. 

Mark  well  this  place  : Norton’s  ranch  is  to  be  historic, 
a central  point.  The  broad  and  beautiful  Camas  Prairie 
opens  out  before  you  as  you  set  your  back  to  Craig's 
Mountain,  and  look  toAvards  the  south-east.  The  straight 
road  in  your  front  leads  from  you  to  Grangeville  and 
Mount  Idaho.  What  a beautiful  sti’etch  of  rolling  prairie 
land  ! Where  is  there  richer  soil,  or  finer  prospects  ? 
ToAvards  the  right  is  the  " Snake  country.”  The  Salmon, 
which  flows  north-westerly,  empties  into  the  Snake  not 


136 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


more  than  twenty  miles  to  the  south-west.  The  Cotton- 
wood, heading  near  by,  runs  easterly  into  the  curvilinear 
Clearwater,  twenty  miles  off;  and  the  Rocky  Canyon 
Creek,  close  by,  shoots  out  south-west,  to  join  the  Salmon  ; 
while  White-Bird,  before  described,  makes  its  remarkable 
canyon,  and  empties  into  the  Salmon,  a few  miles  further 
up  that  river.  This  country  is  as  well  watered  as  Eden, 
and  as  fertile  as  any  garden  which  has  been  much  longer 
under  cultivation. 

W hen  the  Pacific  railroads  shall  be  completed,  the  Ca- 
mas Prairie  will  not  be  despised.  These  wicked  Indians 
have  loved  these  broad  acres,  which  they  have  not  been 
vise  enough  to  cultivate. 

Joseph  and  White  Bird  understood  the  disabilities  of 
their  people,  and  how  they  were  letting  everything  valu- 
able to  them  slip  through  their  hands.  But,  bright  as 
they  were,  they  had  not  sufficient  ability  to  rise  above 
the  influences  around  them.  Who,  indeed,  can  do  so? 

If  Colonel  Perry  could  have  anticipated  the  results 
which  were  to  follow  his  haste  to  the  White-Bird  Canyon, 
and  had  halted  here  at  Norton’s,  and  stood  on  the  defen- 
sive till  I came  up,  it  would  have  been  a good  thing,  in 
a military  point  of  view ; but  that  would  not  have  had 
the  effect,  like  his  bold  advance,  of  stopping  the  Indian 
murders. 

The  superior  officer  could  not  have  known  all  the  facts 
until  he  reached  the  scene  of  operations. 

Defeats  are  always  deplored.  They  naturally  fill  the 
hearts  of  the  vanquished  with  great  chagrin.  They  are 
usually  interpreted  against  the  commander.  But  every 
eminent  commander  has  had  his  lessons  of  defeat.  They 


Johnson’s  ranch. 


137 


are  often  the  essential  stepping-stones  to  subsequent 
victories. 

Perry’s  defeat  at  the  White-Bird  Canyon  reminds  one 
of  the  rout  of  Mackay  at  the  celebrated  battle  of  Ivillie- 
crankie.  Lord  Macaulay  says  of  the  civilians,  who  lost 
confidence  in  him,  and  made  loud  complaint : 

" The  truth  seems  to  be  that  they,  after  the  fashion  of 
men  who,  having  no  military  experience,  sit  in  judgment 
on  military  operations,  considered  success  as  the  only  test 
of  the  ability  of  a commander.  Whoever  wins  a battle 
is,  in  the  estimation  of  such  persons,  a great  general. 
Whoever  is  beaten  is  a bad  general ; and  no  general  has 
ever  been  more  completely  beaten  than  Mackay.” 

Perry,  too,  had  hard  work  to  make  head  against  his 
accusers,  till  two  courts  of  inquiry  had,  by  favorable 
findings,  put  the  subject  matter  at  rest. 

It  should  always  be  remembered  that  in  a combat  both 
parties  cannot  be  equally  successful. 

On  Monday  we  made  a brisk  movement  forward.  The 
infantry,  bearing  off  to  the  right,  went  to  " Johnson’s 
ranch.”  It  was  the  farm  where  Perry  made  his  first  con- 
siderable stand,  where  he  was  able  to  check  his  swift  pur- 
suers, and  enable  his  stragglers  to  catch  up  and  close  in. 
Deviating  from  the  infantry’s  route,  I took  the  cavalry  to 
Perry’s  position  at  Grange ville,  a little  hamlet,  it  will  be 
remembered,  four  miles  short  of  Mount  Idaho,  on  the 
road  leading  to  that  town.  The  soldiers  who  were  left 
alive  of  Perry’s  command  here  met  us.  How  different 
they  were,  in  numbers  and  appearance,  from  the  brisk 
and  hearty  troopers  that  had  left  Fort  Lapwai  the  week 
previous ! But  our  people  rally  quickly  after  defeat. 


138 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


They  were  glad  enough  to  see  us.  The  officers  declared 
to  Whipple  and  Winters,  "You  have  made  the  long 
march,  and  reached  us  sooner  than  we  thought  possible.” 
The  soldiers  and  the  restless  citizens,  gathered  in  from 
the  neighboring  country,  or  come  from  Mount  Idaho,  to 
meet  us,  were  soon  telling  to  our  men  the  story  of  the 
massacres,  and  of  the  last  battle.  I delayed  for  an  hour, 
to  examine  the  supplies  that  the  principal  citizen  had  in 
store,  and  which  he  gladly  put  to  our  use ; also  to  gather 
all  the  information  known  here  concerning  the  enemy ; 
his  position,  number  of  warriors,  and  intentions.  Then 
leaving  the  cavalry  to  rest  and  feed  till  my  return,  I 
made  a hurried  visit  to  the  already  famous  town  of  Mount 
Idaho. 

A little  rivalry,  like  that  between  New  York  and 
Boston,  existed  between  Grangeville  and  Mount  Idaho. 
Each  village  must  have  its  own  volunteer  company ; each 
must  have  its  guns  for  defence.  If  one  has  a fortification, 
or  a cannon,  the  other  clamors  for  a like  favor.  The 
mounted  citizens  began  to  sAvarm  around  me  as  I pro- 
ceeded. A prominent  one  — Mr.  Croaesdale,  an  Eng- 
lishman, who  had  recently  put  a nice  farm  under  cultiva- 
tion in  the  neighborhood,  and  brought  hither  a beautiful 
young  Avife,  of  refinement  and  culture  — rode  ahead,  and 
guided  us.  On  a knoll  to  the  left  of  the  town  he  had 
thrown  up  rough  barricades,  and  improvised  a feAV  quite 
creditable  field-Avorks.  He  manifested  soldierly  instincts 
and  enthusiasm.  I found  that  he  had  made  a citadel  on 
this  knoll,  Avhich  was  already  occupied  by  families,  for 
shelter  and  protection,  whose  fears  had  sent  them  in  from 
the  country. 


THE  WOUNDED. 


139 


Engaging,  after  a time,  to  dine  with  Mr.  Croaesdale,  I 
passed  down  the  principal  street  to  Brown’s  Hotel.  Be- 
fore entering  this  building  the  crowd  of  curious,  eager, 
solemn-looking  men  closed  around  me,  and  expressed  a 
desire  that  I would  speak  to  them.  So  I said,  in  sub- 
stance, what  I had  already  written  Mr.  Brown:  "We 
have  now  taken  the  field  in  good  earnest ; more  troops 
are  on  the  way  to  join  us.  I propose  to  take  prompt 
measures  for  the  pursuit  and  punishment  of  the  hostile 
Indians,  and  wish  you  to  help  me,  in  the  way  of  informa- 
tion and  supplies,  as  much  as  lies  in  your  power.  I 
sympathize  deeply  with  you  in  the  loss  of  life,  and  in  the 
outrages  to  which  your  families  have  been  subjected,  and 
you  may  rest  assured  that  no  stone  will  be  left  unturned 
to  give  you  redress,  and  protection  in  the  future.” 

There  is  always  risk,  on  such  occasions,  of  promising 
more  than  one  is  able  to  perform.  My  brief  speech, 
however,  appeared  to  give  satisfaction,  and  I passed  into 
the  hotel,  with  Mr.  Brown  and  others,  and  went  from 
room  to  room  to  see  those  who  had  suffered  outrage  at 
the  hands  of  the  Indians.  Poor  Mrs.  Norton  was  there, 
very  sadly  wounded  through  her  limbs.  A lady  lay  in 
another  room,  pale  as  death,  and  suffering  from  a gunshot 
wound,  and  from  other  savage  and  repeated  violence. 
Her  little  child  was  playing,  to  all  appearance  quite 
happy,  on  the  outside  of  the  bed,  but  a part  of  its  tongue 
had  been  cut  off.  There  was  an  unusual  number  of 
people  gathered  in  this  place,  shut  up  by  a sense  of  dan- 
ger, and  full  of  feverish  excitement. 

We  dined  at  Mr.  Rudolph’s,  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Croaes- 


140 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


dale  and  others.  How  patient  and  helpful  were  the  ladies 
gathered  here,  yet  how  uncertain,  how  depressing  were 
all  the  circumstances  of  this  horrid  Indian  war ! From 
the  peaceful  beauty  of  life  in  rural  England,  to  the  ap- 
palling butchery  in  the  wild  canyons  of  Idaho,  the  transi- 
tion was  sufficiently  abrupt. 


JUNCTION  OF  TROOPS  AT  JOHNSON’S. 


141 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

JOSEPH  AND  ms  WAR.  — JUNCTION  OF  TROOPS  AT  JOHNSON’S 
RANCH.  — A WORD  FROM  HOME.  — EFFECT  OF  EXAGGERAT- 
ED REPORTS.  — HOW  A SOLDIER  PEOPLES  THE  HILLS  AND 
RIDGES  WITH  TROOPS. —NEIGHBORHOOD  OF  PERRY’S  DIS- 
ASTER DESCRIBED. —A  DESERTED  CAMP.  — A RECONNOIS- 
SANCE.  — THE  BOISE  MOVEMENT  UNDER  GREEN.  — BURYING 
THE  DEAD.  — LIEUTENANT  THELLER’S  BODY.  — JOSEPH  AND 
HIS  WARRIORS  BEYOND  THE  SALMON,  WATCHING  THE 
TROOPS.  — JOSEPH’S  GENERALSHIP  COMPLIMENTED. 

THE  village  realities  passed  before  our  officers  as  vivid 
pictures.  Their  sympathies  were  enlisted,  amid  the 
terror  and  the  suffering,  but  they  could  not  delay  over 
them.  After  a march  of  eight  miles,  by  southerly  routes, 
we  rejoined  the  main  column  at  Johnson’s.  Here  a mes- 
senger came,  with  the  news  that  our  re-enforcements  were 
on  the  way ; and  he  also  bore  welcome  words  from  home. 
How  wonderfully  news  can  spread.  It  is  like  the  cloud 
no  bigger  than  a man’s  hand,  when  it  leaves  us ; it  is 
magnified  several  times  before  the  journals  at  Lewiston 
and  Walla- Walla  have  put  it  into  type,  and  by  the  time 
it  has  reached  Portland  and  San  Francisco  it  has  become 
a heavy  cloud,  overspreading  the  whole  heaven.  About 
this  time,  the  disaster  at  White-Bird  Canyon  had  shown 
this  speedy  and  terrific  increase.  A friend  told  me  that 
at  Fort  Colville,  where  he  was  then  stationed,  two  hundred 
and  seventy  miles  from  Joseph’s  field  of  battle,  he  heard 


142 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


a story,  with  complete  and  graphic  details,  of  the  death 
of  Colonel  E.  C.  Watkins,  the  Indian  Inspector,  and  my- 
self, with  other  exaggerated  horrors.  All  the  people 
there  believed  the  account,  as  it  was  so  connected  and 
so  circumstantial.  It  was  pleasant  to  us  to  find  that 
our  home  people  were  not  afflicted  with  these  frightful 
stories.  The  stories  existed,  but  the  correction  was  ever 
at  hand. 

I remember  that  after  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  when- 
ever I travelled,  particularly  on  horseback,  I used  to  con- 
tinue, in  imagination,  peopling  the  hills,  ridges,  groves, 
forests,  and  ravines  with  soldiers,  and  laying  off  every- 
thing, for  purposes  of  offence  and  defence,  into  military 
positions  for  cavalry,  artillery,  and  infantry.  In  just 
such  groupings  does  that  whole  region  around  " Johnson’s 
Ranch  ” lie  in  my  memory  to-day.  South-eastward  was 
a gradual  slope,  four  or  five  miles  in  extent,  to  the  head 
of  the  Big  White-Bird  Canyon,  an  open,  rolling  country ; 
southward,  one  rougher  and  rougher,  filled  with  deep 
ravines,  extending  to  Salmon  River,  which  was  boiling 
and  rolling  on,  in  mad  fury,  at  the  bottom  of  mountain 
banks.  The  largest  transverse  ravine  in  this  direction 
was  "Rocky  Canyon,”  at  the  head  of  which,  three  or 
four  miles  off,  was,  as  we  have  seen,  one  of  the  Indian 
camps  at  the  time  when  the  first  murders  were  com- 
mitted. The  lodge-poles,  and  many  of  the  lodges  with- 
out their  skin  or  canvas  covering,  were  still  there,  giving 
indications  of  the  recent  sojourn  of  six  or  seven  hundred 
persons.  To  the  north,  twenty  miles  away,  in  the  direc- 
tion we  came,  were  the  Cottonwood  Creek  and  Canyon, 
" Norton’s  Ranch,”  with  the  Craig  mountain,  fringed  with 


A RECONNOISSANCE. 


143 


trees,  behind  it,  as  a fine  background  to  a beautiful  land- 
scape ; to  the  east,  and  sweeping  around  to  the  north- 
east, the  rugged  hills  that  border  the  Camas  prairies,  and 
are  opposite  Craig  Mountain,  and  near  Mount  Idaho,  and 
all  the  vast,  charming  expanse,  which  people  come  hither 
to  occupy  and  to  cultivate,  lying  spread  out  between 
mountains  and  hills,  like  an  unrolled  map,  for  your  in- 
spection. 

We  left  camp  on  reconnoissance  at  6 30,  a.  m.,  and  our 
column  moved  directly  to  the  hill  at  the  head  of  White- 
Bird  Canyon.  This  reconnoissance  was  for  an  important 
object.  "Where  are  Joseph  and  White  Bird?”  "How 
many  warriors  have  they  with  them  ? ” Our  march  was 
occupying  their  attention,  and  keeping  them  together. 
It  was,  further,  the  best  method  of  gaining  time  for  the 
companies  now  en  route  to  overtake  us,  and  for  those 
moving  northward  from  Boise  City,  some  two  hundred 
miles  to  the  south,  to  get  into  such  a position  as  would 
prevent  an  escape  of  the  hostiles  in  that  direction.  This 
Boise  movement,  under  Colonel  Green,  was  intended  to 
keep  the  disaflected  Xez  Perces  and  the  Wieser  Indians 
apart. 

A reconnoissance  which  does  not  bring:  on  an  engrave- 
ment,  gives  one  the  information  he  seeks,  and  does  not 
drive  otf  the  foe,  has  to  be  well  conducted.  Ours  was 
thus  successful. 

We  had  another  desire.  It  was  to  look  up  and  bury 
our  dead  soldiers,  who  had  been  lying  exposed  for  more 
than  a week,  upon  the  hill-sides,  or  in  the  ravines  where 
they  had  fallen.  Miller  commanded  the  footmen,  in- 
creased by  a company  of  cavalry,  under  the  diligent 


144 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


Captain  Winters.  These  proceeded  cautiously  down  the 
Canyon  trail,  preceded  by  the  watchful  skirmishers, 
and  covered  by  vigilant  flankers.  Whipple  stayed  with 
our  artillery  and  company  of  cavalry,  at  the  head  of  the 
canyon,  where  the  trail  just  begins  to  descend.  Perry 
accompanied  me  to  a good  post  of  observation,  near  the 
transverse  ravine,  where,  the  week  before,  the  greater 
number  of  his  living  men  had,  at  their  extreme  peril, 
ascended  from  the  canyon  below  to  the  broader  space 
above. 

The  brave  volunteer,  Captain  Paige,  of  Walla- Walla, 
with  his  little  company  of  men,  and  Arthur  Chapman  as 
guide,  skirted  the  hills  to  the  right  of  the  canyon.  The 
scene  was  so  vast,  the  hills  so  high,  and  the  ravines  so 
deep,  that  our  small  numbers  seemed  even  smaller  by  the 
contrast.  As  we  peered  down  into  the  canyon  the  bot- 
tom seemed  level  as  a plain,  though,  in  reality,  there  were 
many  hills,  knolls,  and  buttes  between  us  and  the  battle- 
field. Little  by  little,  the  troops  uncovered  the  ground. 
The  burial  parties  followed  closely,  and  behind  the  mov- 
ing columns,  and,  as  soon  as  they  came  near  enough, 
sheltered  with  their  blankets  the  poor  boys  who,  stripped 
of  clothing,  were  still  lying  there  in  death.  It  was  quite 
late  in  the  day  before  Lieutenant  Theller’s  remains  were 
found  and  identified.  He  was  then  carefully  buried  on 
the  spot.  Afterward  the  afflicted  wife  was  gratified  in 
her  wish  to  have  the  body  removed  to  the  neighborhood 
of  her  home  in  San  Francisco. 

Paige  and  Chapman,  pushing  well  forward,  at  last, 
from  a promontory  at  the  end  of  the  ridge,  which  they 
had  followed  almost  to  the  Salmon  River,  discovered 


THE  LEADERSHIP  OF  JOSEPH. 


145 


the  Indians.  Joseph,  keen-eyed  and  active,  was  now, 
with  all  his  warriors,  his  women,  children,  and  baggage, 
well  across  the  swift  river ; and  there,  from  some  curious, 
sharp-pointed  hills  on  the  other  side,  was  watching  our 
movements. 

A citizen,  half  starved  and  twice  wounded,  was  brought 
to  us.  From  him  we  gathered  additional  information. 
We  learned  the  names  of  the  poor  settlers  who  had  suf- 
fered most  by  the  robberies  and  by  the  flames.  We  were 
told  that  Joseph’s  first  intention  was  to  have  given  me 
battle  before  going  over  the  Salmon ; but  that  he  had 
changed  his  mind,  and  wished  to  draw  us  into  the  vicinity 
of  those  snow-clad  peaks  called  " Seven  Devils,”  where 
our  troops  would  be  further  from  supplies,  and  more 
easily  handled. 

The  full  purpose  of  this  forward  movement  having 
been  accomplished,  in  the  midst  of  a heavy  rain,  the 
command,  slowly  toiling  up  the  muddy  trail,  gathered  at 
the  head  of  the  canyon,  and  returned  to  Johnson’s  for 
the  night. 

The  leadership  of  Chief  Joseph  was  indeed  remarkable. 
No  general  could  have  chosen  a safer  position,  or  one  that 
would  be  more  likely  to  puzzle  and  obstruct  a pursuing 
foe.  If  we  present  a weak  force  he  can  turn  upon  it. 
If  we  make  direct  pursuit  he  can  go  southward  toward 
Boise,  for  at  least  thirty  miles,  and  then  turn  our  left. 
He  can  go  straight  to  his  rear,  and  cross  the  Snake  at 
Pittsburg  Landing.  He  can  go  on  down  the  Salmon, 
and  cross  at  several  places,  and  then  turn  either  to  the 
left,  for  his  old  haunts  in  the  Wallowa  Valley,  or  to  the 
right,  and  pass  our  flank,  threatening  our  line  of  supply, 
10 


146 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


while  he  has,  at  the  same  time,  a wonderful  natural  bar- 
rier between  him  and  us  in  the  Salmon,  a river  that  de- 
lights itself  in  its  furious  flow.  We  shall  see  next  how  it 
was  sought  to  solve  the  problem  presented  us  by  this 
shrewd  savage. 


SKIRMISH  AT  SALMON-RIVER  CROSSING. 


147 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  WAR.  — SKIRMISH  AT  THE  SALMON-RIVER 
CROSSING.  — CAVALRY  SKIRMISH  WITH  THE  FAMOUS  LOOK- 
ING-GLASS. - THE  CAVALRY  SKIRMISHES  AT  THE  COTTON- 
WOOD, NEAR  NORTON’S  RANCH:  INCLUDING  THE  ACTION  OF 
THE  SEVENTEEN  VOLUNTEERS,  AND  THE  MASSACRE  OF 
LIEUTENANT  RAINS  AND  PARTY. 

! HE  troops  were  gathered  near  the  mouth  ofWhite- 


X Bird  Canyon.  The  main  canyon  forks  a couple  of 
miles  back  from  the  Salmon.  One  tine  of  the  fork  is  the 
White-Bird  Creek,  running  directly  into  the  river ; and 
the  other  holds  the  main  trail,  which  bears  off  to  the  left, 
and  leads  to  the  river  a couple  of  miles  farther  up  stream. 
A very  high  bluff  lies  within  the  triangle  thus  formed. 
Standing  upon  this  bluff  you  could  see,  hundreds  of  feet 
below,  the  restless  Salmon,  and,  beyond  it,  the  irregular 
mountain  valley  held  by  the  Indians.  Their  sentry-posts, 
on  pointed  hills,  were  scattered  along  between  us  and  the 
mountain  slopes. 

They  were  shouting  back  and  forth.  We  could  hear 
the  voices  of  Indians  giving  their  orders.  While  we  were 
preparing  a ferry,  by  collecting  boats  and  crossing  a 
cable,  the  Indians- suddenly  started  from  the  hill-tops  and 
from  ravines,  and  rushed  towards  our  position.  Paige 
and  I were  sitting  near  the  right  of  our  line,  on  the  bluff 
overlooking  the  White-Bird.  It  seemed,  for  a moment, 
that  the  little  silvery  thread,  far  below,  that  we  call  the 


148 


NEZ  PEKCE  JOSEPH. 


Salmon  River,  could  really  be  no  obstacle.  I sent  Wil- 
kinson and  others  for  long-range  rifles,  and  got  ready  with 
what  artillery  we  had,  to  tire  as  soon  as  the  Indians  should 
be  within  range.  Paige  became  more  and  more  resolute, 
shouted  loudly  to  the  approaching  foe,  fired  his  rifle 
rapidly,  while  other  rifles  were  coming.  Some  shots 
appeared  to  whistle  among  them  as  they  drew  nigh  the 
river.  Away  they  turned,  and  down  the  river  they  ran, 
like  wild  cattle  just  let  loose  from  the  corral ; and  in  fif- 
teen minutes  they  had  disappeared.  Surely  all  was  ready 
for  them  had  they  re-swam  the  swift  river.  It  was  partly 
a ruse,  and  intended  to  make  me  think  that  they  designed 
to  turn  my  flank  at  Rocky  Canyon  crossing,  and  partly 
the  usual  bravado  of  Indians,  who,  by  their  wildness  of 
movement  and  defiant  yelling,  hope  to  inspire  surprise  and 
terror.  But  our  field-glasses  had  shown  us  ponies  graz- 
ing, and  figures  sneaking  behind  the  hills,  and  I was  confi- 
dent that  the  hostiles  had  returned  under  the  cover  of  the 
rough  ground,  and  would  go  in  another  direction  when 
they  were  ready. 

Now  that  we  were  together,  Miller  had  the  artillery 
battalion,  Perry  having  been  sent  to  the  rear  for  supplies, 
Whipple  had  the  cavalry,  Trimble  was  still  at  the  Salmon 
River  crossing  near  Slate  Creek,  and  prevented  a turning 
of  our  left  in  that  direction. 

Chief  Looking-glass,  in  the  rear,  was  already  beginning 
to  give  trouble.  " Forty  bucks  have  just  left  him  to  join 
Joseph.  He  is  only  waiting  his  favorable  chance.”  Such 
was  the  information  from  our  friendly  Indians.  As  he 
was  behind  us,  and  at  the  fork  of  the  Clearwater,  we 
must  take  care  of  him.  " Captain  Whipple,  go  with  your 


SKIRMISH  AT  FORKS  OF  THE  CLEARWATER.  149 

cavalry  and  gatling  guns,  arrest  the  Indian  chief  Look- 
ing-glass, and  all  other  Indians  who  may  be  encamped 
with  or  near  him,  between  the  forks  of  the  Clearwater, 
and  turn  all  prisoners  over,  for  safe-keeping,  to  the  vol- 
unteer organization  at  Mount  Idaho.” 

It  may,  perhaps,  add  to  the  interest  of  the  narrative  to 
give  Whipple’s  account  of  the  execution  of  those  instruc- 
tions. He  says  : " On  account  of  the  distance,  greater  by 
ten  miles  than  was  supposed,  and  the  difficult  approach, 
the  village  was  not  reached  at  dawn,  July  1,  as  con- 
templated ; but  soon  after  sunrise  such  dispositions  were 
made  as  seemed  most  practicable,  under  the  circumstances, 
to  carry  out  my  instructions.  An  opportunity  was  given 
Looking-glass  to  surrender,  which  he,  at  first,  promised 
to  accept,  but  afterwards  defiantly  refused,  and  the  result 
was  that  several  Indians  were  killed,  the  camp,  with  a 
large  amount  of  supplies,  destroyed,  and  seven  hundred 
and  twenty-five  ponies  captured,  and  driven  to  Mount 
Idaho.  . . . About  twenty  citizens,  under  lead  of  a 

volunteer  officer,  Captain  Kanclall,  [killed  near  Norton’s, 
July  5,]  accompanied  me  on  this  expedition.” 

Of  course  we  thus  stirred  up  a new  hornet’s  nest,  and 
did  not  get  Looking-glass  and  his  treacherous  companions 
into  custody. 

While  my  men,  those  immediately  at  hand  near  the 
Salmon,  were  pulling  some  small  boats  over  the  torrent,  and 
whirling  into  port  by  an  eddy,  and  then,  in  column,  (the 
Slate-Creek  detachment,  Hunter’s  and  McConville’s  vol- 
unteers, and  all,)  were  winding  their  way  up  the  almost 
interminable  " hog-back  ” in  a rain-storm,  and  following 
along  the  trail  of  the  departing  Joseph,  down  the  Salmon, 


150 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


toward  the  Snake  country,  for  twenty-five  miles,  to  the 
raging  crossing-place  at  Craig’s  Ferry,  Whipple,  having 
completed  his  instructions,  was  waiting  and  watching  at 
Norton’s;  because,  under  our  chase,  Joseph  might,  after 
swimming  the  river,  turn  again  that  way  across  the 
Camas. 

These  Indians  excited  our  admiration  by  their  despatch 
in  crossing  rivers.  James  Reuben,  (an  Indian,)  who 
brought  me  a message  at  Craig’s  ferry,  told  me  how  it 
was  done  : " Make  skin  rafts,  and  load  them ; tie  four 
horses,  abreast,  to  the  rafts  with  small  ropes ; put  four 
Indians,  naked,  on  the  horses,  and  then  boldly  swim 
across.”  He  gave  us  a practical  demonstration  by  swim- 
ming his  half-breed  over  to  us  and  back  across  the  fear- 
ful torrent.  Brave  Scout  Parker  attempted  the  same, 
but  failed  to  get  many  yards  from  shore. 

While  this  was  going  forward,  after  he  had  made  the 
remarkable  crossing,  Joseph  did  turn  back  upon  the 
Camas  Prairie,  towards  Norton’s  ranch,  and  threatened 
Whipple  and  the  others. 

I must  try  to  afford  a few  glimpses  of  this  detachment, 
with  their  doings  and  surroundings. 

Captain  Babbitt,  ordinance  officer  of  my  staff,  had  met 
Whipple  at  midnight,  near  Mount  Idaho,  with  orders : 
" Proceed,  without  delay,  to  Cottonwood,  (Norton’s,) 
and  form  junction  with  Perry.”  The  object  being  to 
gain  the  earliest  information  of  the  movements  of  the 
enemy,  should  he,  as  was  thought  probable,  re-cross  the 
Salmon.”  Such  were  the  orders.  Whipple  tells  how  he 
fulfilled  them : 

" I marched,”  writes  ’Whipple,  "to  Cottonwood,  July  2, 


MASSACRE  OF  LIEUTENANT  RAINS  AND  PARTY.  151 


and,  on  the  following  morning,  sent  out  two  citizen  scouts, 
named  Foster  and  Blewett,  to  examine  the  country  in 
the  direction  of  Craig’s  Ferry,  the  place  where  Joseph 
and  his  party  swam  the  river,  for  indications  of  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Indians.  Toward  evening  Foster  returned 
rapidly  to  camp,  and  reported  that  he  had  seen  Indians, 
about  twelve  miles  distant,  coming  from  the  direction  of 
Craig’s  Ferry  ; that  they  had  tired  a shot  or  two  at  him  ; 
that  he  last  saw  his  comrade  about  that  time.”  . . 

Whipple  immediately  prepared  for  action,  delayed  a 
little  by  unloading  and  distributing  ammunition,  and,  fol- 
lowing his  report  again,  " I directed  Second-Lieutenant 
S.  M.  Rains,  of  my  company,  with  ten  picked  men,  and 
the  scout,  Foster,  to  proceed  at  once  toward  the  point 
where  the  Indians  had  been  seen,  for  the  purpose  of  as- 
certaining the  strength  of  the  enemy,  and  to  aid  young 
Blewett.  I particularly  cautioned  Rains  not  to  precede 
the  command  too  far,  to  keep  on  high  ground,  and  to  re- 
port the  first  sign  of  the  Indians.  The  command  was  in 
motion  very  shortly  after  the  detachment  had  started,  and 
firing  was  soon  heard  on  our  front.  A rapid  gait  was 
taken  up,  and,  after  a couple  of  miles,  Indians  were  dis- 
covered about  a half  mile  distant ; and,  on  approaching 
nearer,  it  was  found  that  they  were  in  large  force,  and 
that  Lieutenant  Rains  and  every  man  of  his  detachment 
had  been  killed.” 

These  were  dreadful  tidings  ! 

This  young  officer  was  of  the  same  mould  as  the  famous 
Winterfield  of  history,  who  was  killed  in  just  such  fash- 
ion under  Frederick  the  Great,  — prompt,  loyal,  able, 
without  fear,  and  without  reproach.  Frederick  lost 


152 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


many  brave  leaders,  but  " only  one  Winterfield ; ” we, 
but  one  Rains.  Whipple  continued  a short  distance, 
deployed,  and  dismounted  for  battle.  The  enemy,  it 
seems,  took  the  back  track  for  a few  miles  on  meeting 
the  larger  force,  and,  at  dark,  the  captain  very  properly 
retired,  with  his  men  and  guns,  to  Cottonwood.  During 
the  night  couriers  arrived  from  Perry,  coming  from  Fort 
Lapwai,  with  the  pack-train. 

The  4th  of  July,  at  dawn,  the  command  from  Cotton- 
wood set  out  bravely  toward  Lapwai,  to  meet  the  es- 
corting detachment,  now  in  great  danger ; marched  to- 
ward it  eight  miles,  and  returned  in  safety  with  Perry’s 
escort  and  supplies.  But  this  exciting  morning  ride  was 
not  enough  for  our  Cottonwood  celebration  of  the  Fourth 
of  July? 

" About  midday  Indians  began  to  gather,  and  but  a 
short  time  elapsed  before  the  camp  was  surrounded  by 
them,  and  for  hours  they  made  the  most  frantic  efforts  to 
dislodge  us.  Every  man  of  the  command  was  kept  on 
the  lines  this  afternoon  (rifle-pits  having  been  dug  at  a 
little  distance  from  the  Cottonwood  house)  until  about 
sundown,  when  the  enemy  withdrew  for  the  night.” 

This  is  very  calmly  described,  but  there  were,  doubt- 
less, plenty  of  flags  flying  ; plenty  of  firing  from  carbines 
and  gattlings,  which  made  the  old  Craig  Mountain  ring. 
Add  the  Indian  yellings  and  shoutings,  and  the  day  we 
celebrate  was  here  thoroughly,  if  not  formally,  honored. 

Cottonwood,  July  5.  Perry,  being  the  senior,  was  in 
command.  Whipple  was  constructing  some  defences, 
east  of  Norton’s,  when  two  mounted  men  were  seen  ap- 
proaching at  full  speed.  They  came,  pursued  by  Indians, 


CAPTAIN  RANDALL  MORTALLY  WOUNDED. 


153 


from  the  direction  of  Johnson’s  ranch.  These  two  were 
the  messengers  sent  to  me  beyond  the  Salmon ; their 
mission  having  been  performed,  they  had  thus  returned  ; 
but  nothing  befell  them  except  the  hot  chase.  Not  so 
with  the  next  party  which  immediately  followed  them  ! 
On  the  same  hill  where  Whipple  had  constructed  the  de- 
fences, a short  time  after  the  couriers  rushed  in,  Whipple 
was  standing.  He  says  : 

" Noticing:  that  there  was  some  commotion  at  the  brow 
of  the  hill,  where  a few  citizens  had  gathered,  and  that 
Captain  Perry  was  walking  towards  me,  I turned  and  met 
him,  asking,  at  the  same  time  the  cause  of  the  excitement. 
He  replied,  ' Some  citizens,  a couple  of  miles  away,  on 
the  Mount  Idaho  road,  are  surrounded  by  Indians,  and 
are  being  all  cut  to  pieces,  and  nothing  can  be  done  to 
help  them ! ’ 

'"Why  not?’ 

" ' It  is  too  late  ! ’ ” 

Still  it  is  decided  to  try,  and  the  entire  force  is  ordered 
thitherward. 

Here  is  another  picture  : 

"Arrived  at  the  ground  where  the  attacked  party  was  I 
found  it  to  be  Captain  Randall’s  company  of  volunteers, 
numbering  seventeen  men.  Randall  had  been  mortally 
wounded,  one  man  killed,  and  two  slightly  disabled.  . . 
After  I reached  the  point  where  the  citizens  were  at- 
tacked, and  remained,  Randall  having  been  wounded  at 
the  first  onset,  I took  position  close  at  hand,  so  as  to  re- 
lieve the  volunteers  from  all  duties  but  the  care  of  their 
wounded  comrades.  A few  shots  were  fired  at  us  by  the 
hostiles,  small  parties  still  hovering  around,  but  no  dam- 


154 


NEZ  PEECE  JOSEPH. 


age  was  done,  except  that  one  horse  was  slightly 
wounded.” 

Lieutenant  Shelton,  First  Cavalry,  volunteered,  with  his 
detachment  of  seventeen  men,  and,  in  a spirited  manner, 
drove  the  Indians  from  his  front. 

Then  all  returned  to  camp,  bearing  the  wounded.  Much 
complaint,  as  before  noticed,  arose  because  the  officer  in 
command  at  Cottonwood  was  not  more  prompt  with  his 
relief,  whom  a court  of  inquiry,  after  long  sessions  and 
much  labor,  exonerated.  After  the  return  to  camp  the 
Indians  had  the  prairie  to  themselves,  and  leisurely 
crossed  the  road  between  the  Cottonwood  forces  and 
Grangeville,  and  continued  on  eastward.  Doubtless  Jo- 
seph did  so  in  order  to  pick  up  Looking-glass,  as,  in  this, 
we  had  not  succeeded  in  anticipating  him. 

A little  after  sunset  two  companies  of  mounted  vol- 
unteers reported  from  my  main  column,  which  was  yet 
on  the  other  side  of  the  Salmon. 

On  hearing  of  Lieutenant  Rains’  desperate  struggle  I 
had  sent  these  volunteers  from  us  by  the  way  of  Rocky 
Canyon. 

Let  us  return  to  our  pursuing  troops  on  the  table-land 
beyond  the  Salmon.  I pressed  this  column  after  the 
Indians  to  Craig’s  Ferry.  Lost  our  raft  in  attempting  to 
cross.  Too  much  of  a torrent  to  cross  troops  and  sup- 
plies without  it ! James  Reuben,  the  scout,  had  brought 
clear  accounts  that  Joseph  had  not  turned  south  toward 
his  old  haunts  in  the  Wallowa,  but  northward  and  east- 
ward, to  gather  up  Looking-glass  and  re-enforcements, 
catch  small  parties  like  Rains’  detachment,  and  do  what 
mischief  he  could.  Therefore,  by  turning  straight  back, 


JOSEPH  BOASTS  OF  IIIS  PROWESS. 


155 


recrossing  the  Salmon  at  Rocky  Canyon,  or  White-Bird, 
where  there  were  boats,  and  going  via  Grangeville, 
where  I could  bring  the  Cottonwood  force  to  me,  I had 
a short  line,  and  hoped  to  get  a decisive  battle  from  our 
doughty  chief.  This  difficult  work  was  promptly  at- 
tempted. 

The  9th  of  July,  by  some  night-marching,  and  by  get- 
ting alternate  " lifts  ” to  our  infantry  in  country  wagons, 
saw  our  advance,  at  evening,  at  Grangeville ; and  the 
remainder  was  not  far  behind.  The  enterprising  volun- 
teers, who  had  become  a little  disgusted  with  the  slowness 
of  regulars,  and  angry  at  their  own  fearful  discomfiture 
near  Cottonwood,  had  suddenly  left  us  and  started  on  an 
independent  movement.  They  had  crept  to  a lofty  height, 
overlooking  the  fork  and  ravines  where  the  Indians  now 
were,  near,  if  not  in,  Looking-glass’  old  camp,  that 
Whipple  had  stirred  up  a few  days  before.  The  volun- 
teers sent  an  officer,  whose  message  was,  " Come  straight 
to  us.”  Shearer,  a volunteer  major,  with  a few  men 
from  Mount  Idaho,  went  thither  for  me  and  explained 
why  I had  borne  off  to  the  right,  crossed  Jackson’s 
Bridge  over  a branch  of  the  Clearwater,  and  worked 
my  way  down  toward  the  fork,  which  was  to  be  the 
battle-ground. 

Joseph,  in  consequence  of  his  success  at  White-Bird, 
his  eluding  me  at  the  Salmon,  his  massacre  of  Rains,  and 
his  escape  from  Whipple,  and  his  skirmishes  w ith  the  vol- 
unteers, as  well  as  his  aiding  Looking-glass  in  avoiding 
arrest,  had  come  to  boast  of  his  prowess,  so  that  he  was 
rather  inclined  to  try  his  hand  with  me.  Probably  he 
did  not  believe  it  possible  that  I could  get  my  force  con- 


156 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


centrated,  so  as  to  bring  the  whole  of  it  to  bear  at  once. 
But,  on  our  part,  we  were  decidedly  inclined  to  bat- 
tle, and  so  hastened  with  all  our  might  thitherward. 
The  chief  advantage  on  the  part  of  the  savages  lay 
in  the  toughness,  and  swiftness  in  flight,  of  the  Indian 
ponies. 


BATTLE  OF  THE  CLEARWATER. 


157 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

JOSEPH  ANT)  HIS  WAR.  - BATTLE  OF  THE  CLEARWATER,  THE 
11  th  OF  JULY.  — LIEUTENANT  FLETCHER  DISCOVERS  THE 
ENEMY.— RAPID  MOVEMENTS  OF  INDIANS. —QUICK  CHANGES 
OF  TROOPS.— FOOD  AND  POWDER  IN  DANGER.  — CHARGES 
ON  FOOT  AND  ON  HORSEBACK.  — BANCROFT  AND  WILLIAMS 
WOUNDED.  — MILLER’S  CHARGE.  — HOW  AIDES-DE-CAMP  AS- 
SISTED. — INDIANS  CAPTURED  SPRING  OF  WATER.  — THE 
SECOND  DAY.  — SPRING  RECAPTURED.  — JACKSON’S  AP- 
PROACH. — MILLER  SENT  THROUGH  THE  ENEMY’S  LINE. — 
AN  OFFICER  OF  GENERAL  McDOWELL’S  STAFF.  — THE  FINAL 
ATTACK.  — THE  VICTORY. 

OUR  infantry,  artillery,  and  cavalry  having  passed 
without  delay  through  Grangeville,  the  volunteers 
being  already  at  the  round  hill  beyond  the  Cottonwood, 
and  looking  down  into  valleys  filled  with  wild  men, 
women,  children,  and  ponies,  the  small  army,  bearing  to 
the  south,  crossed  by  Jackson’s  bridge.  It  delayed  at 
the  crest  of  a height  beyond  the  bridge  until  the  ammuni- 
tion train,  the  baggage,  and  infantry,  that  had  been  some- 
what separated  by  the  forced  marching,  were  closed  up. 

The  11th  of  July  was  a day  ever  memorable  to  us  and 
the  people  in  North  Idaho,  even  if  such  little  affairs  do 
not  disturb  places  more  remote.  This  midsummer  day 
saw  us  creeping  down  carefully,  hunting  our  way  through 
the  extensive  forest,  through  the  deep  ravines,  over  the 
sightly  hills,  on  toward  the  confluence  of  the  two  Clear- 
waters.  About  noon,  Lieutenant  Fletcher,  my  aide,  who 


158 


NEZ  PEECE  JOSEPH. 


had  galloped  away  a few  minutes  before,  and  was  already 
a quarter  of  a mile  to  my  left,  discovered  the  enemy  in 
a deep  ravine,  near  the  mouth  of  Cottonwood  Creek. 
Numbers  of  horses,  and  a few  Indians,  were  seen. 

Let  us  try  to  sketch  the  picture  which  presents  itself. 
We  have  just  emerged  from  the  forests  into  a country 
comparatively  open.  We  are  looking  northward.  One 
branch  of  the  river,  the  Clearwater,  which  is  running 
parallel  with  my  course,  some  half  mile  to  our  left,  sweeps 
around  in  its  swift  flow  two  miles  ahead,  and  crosses  our 
path,  and  is  then  flowing  easterly.  The  surface  of  the 
river  is  down  at  the  foot  of  high  bluffs,  and  gives  us  only 
occasional  glimpses  of  its  current. 

Trimble’s  troop,  accompanied  by  an  aide-de-camp,  was 
sent  forward  to  watch,  toward  the  front  and  right,  while 
I rode  to  the  bluff  at  the  left,  where  Fletcher  was,  and 
saw  plainly  the  hostiles,  who,  judging  from  their  motions, 
had  just  discovered  our  approach.  By  one  o’clock  a how- 
itzer and  two  gatling  guns,  manned  by  a detachment  under 
Lieutenant  Otis,  Fourth  Artillery,  were  fixing  towards 
the  masses  of  the  Indians  below.  The  Indians  were  run- 
ning their  horses  up  the  south  fork  of  the  Clearwater,  on 
both  banks,  near  the  river,  and  driving  their  stock,  as 
fast  as  possible,  beyond  our  range.  In  ten  minutes  more 
it  was  impossible,  with  our  ai’tillery,  to  l’eaeh  them,  owing 
to  the  craggy  mountain-shores  back  of,  and  close  by,  the 
river  border.  My  guide,  Mr.  Chapman,  assured  me  that 
they  could  escape  only  by  a canyon  on  our  left,  which 
made  a small  angle  with  the  river,  and  led  toward  the 
rear. 

The  next  bluff,  in  that  dii*ection,  was  beyond  a deep 


QUICK  CHANGES  OF  TROOPS. 


159 


and  rocky  transverse  ravine,  perpendicular  to  this  canyon. 
Instantly  the  howitzer  battery  and  gatling  guns,  sup- 
ported by  Winter’s  cavalry,  were  ordered  to  go  thither 
with  all  speed.  Around  the  head  of  the  ravine  our  dis- 
tance was  over  a mile,  the  enemy  having  less  than  a third 
to  go.  So  beyond  the  second  bluff  we  found  Joseph  and 
his  people,  dismounted,  and  already  in  position,  on  our 
approach,  while  some  thirty  or  forty  mounted  Indians  had 
galloped  just  beyond  range,  to  compass  our  left.  Just 
in  time  Colonel  Mason,  the  Department  Inspector,  ap- 
peared at  hand,  Avith  Burton’s  company  of  infantry,  which 
deployed,  stretching  off  to  the  right,  and  enabled  Winters 
to  take  care  of  his  left.  They  all  now  pressed  foiward, 
in  an  open  line.  Firing  became  \Tery  brisk.  My  line  I 
extended  to  the  left  by  the  cavalry,  and  to  the  right  by 
the  infantry  and  artillery  battalions,  gradually  refusing 
my  flanks,  until  the  whole  bluff  was  enveloped.  Four 
hundred  men,  necessarily  much  spread  out,  held  a line 
two  and  a half  miles  in  extent.  Our  main  pack  train  had 
passed  by  this  position.  Another  small  train,  Avith  a few 
supplies,  A\Tas  on  the  road  near  us.  The  Indian  flankers, 
by  their  rapid  movement,  struck  the  rear  of  the  small 
train,  killed  two  of  the  packers,  and  disabled  a couple  of 
mules,  loaded  with  howitzer  ammunition.  The  prompt 
fire  from  Perry’s  and  Whipple’s  chivalry  saved  the  attend- 
ant ammunition  from  capture ; luckily,  the  main  supply 
train  was  saved  by  the  quick  work  of  a messenger, 
guiding  it  within  the  lines. 

Beyond  this  Clearwater  stream  to  the  north  is  the  high, 
round  hill,  five  miles  distant  in  a straight  line,  where,  Ave 
mentioned,  that  the  volunteers  were  located ; farther  off  is 


160 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


the  Craig  mountain,  which  recedes  to  the  left,  and  rises 
up  as  a background.  From  its  nearest  slopes  the  Cotton- 
wood ravine  makes  its  dark  and  crooked  course  toward 
us,  and  disappears  behind  our  shore  of  the  Clearwater. 
The  very  steep  and  very  high  banks  of  the  river  are 
roughly  cut  with  numerous  transverse  ravines.  The  In- 
dian camp,  from  which,  on  our  approach,  the  hostiles 
emerged,  yet  hidden  from  view,  was  beyond  the  river,  and 
hundreds  of  Indian  ponies  were  herded  in  ravines,  close 
to  the  camp.  The  warriors,  the  greater  part  of  them 
mounted,  under  cover  of  the  bluffs,  had  forded  the 
river,  near  our  flank,  and,  when  discovered  were  racing 
up  a transverse  ravine,  whose  shallow  head  we  had  some 
time  since  passed.  Between  these  transverse  ravines, 
some  of  which  would  be  called  canyons,  there  were  large, 
level  flats  of  open  land.  These  were  filled  with  rocks 
and  gullies,  and  their  sides  lined  with  small  trees.  We 
were  obliged  to  work  back  toward  the  head  of  any 
one  of  them  in  order  to  cross  it  with  howitzers,  or 
with  horses.  Our  skirmishers  were  just  sweeping  over 
one  of  these  plateaus,  formed  by  the  river  and  the 
canyon,  when  the  quick,  covert  movement  of  Joseph, 
which  we  referred  to  above,  Avas  revealed  to  Fletcher’s 
field-glass. 

For  a feAV  moments  it  Avas  feared  by  lookers-on  that  the 
Indians  would  destroy  all  our  food  and  our  poAvder.  The 
messenger  had  run  his  horse  Avith  all  speed,  and  to  good 
purpose ; for  a loss  here  would  have  been  a calamity 
indeed. 

The  fierce  onset  of  the  Indians  requiring  great  haste, 
Wilkinson,  aide-de-camp,  being  now  sent,  quietly  gath- 


BANCROFT  AND  WILLIAMS  WOUNDED. 


161 


ered  the  trains,  and  brought  them  under  cover  of  Rod- 
ney’s artillery  and  Trimble’s  cavalry  companies. 

The  enemy  manifested  extraordinary  quickness  and 
boldness,  planting  sharpshooters  at  all  available  points, 
making  charges  on  foot  and  on  horseback,  accompanying 
the  charges  with  all  manner  of  savage  demonstrations. 
At  one  time,  an  Indian  paraded  himself  in  plain  view, 
beyond  our  left  flank,  and  beyond  the  easy  range  of  our 
rifles.  He  would  dance  around,  and  leap  up  and  down 
in  a strange  way,  with  arms  outstretched,  swinging,  as  he 
did  so,  a red  blanket.  Doubtless  this  was  done  with  a 
view  to  encourage  others  to  follow  him  in  the  bold  work 
of  attacking  the  flank  of  the  position. 

These  attempts  were  successfully  resisted  at  every  part 
of  the  line.  At  3 30,  p.  m.,  a spirited  counter  charge 
was  tried  on  our  right,  down  into  a ravine.  Captain 
Miles,  commanding  the  infantry  battalion,  led  in  this 
charge.  Captain  Bancroft,  Fourth  Artillery,  and  Lieu- 
tenant Williams,  Twenty-first  Infantry,  were  seriously 
wounded  at  this  time.  A number  of  Indians  were  killed, 
and  several  wounded,  in  the  charge,  and  the  ravine  was 
thoroughly  cleared. 

Miller,  a little  later,  led  a second  charge  near  the. 
centre.  He  succeeded,  at  first,  only  in  putting  the  In- 
dians on  their  guard,  behind  the  barricades  of  stone  which 
the}'-  had  hastily  thrown  up.  Wilkinson,  with  a view  to 
a diversion,  meanwhile  led  a demonstration  on  the  right, 
using  artillery  and  infantry,  and  every  available  man  from 
the  cavalry,  including  horse-holders,  orderlies,  extra-duty 
men,  and  train.  Fletcher,  also,  pointing  a howitzer  dur- 
11 


162 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


ing  the  battle,  did  effective  service  by  lodging  shells 
within  the  enemy’s  barricades. 

Miller’s  charge  at  last  gained  the  ridge  in  front,  and 
secured  the  disputed  ravine  near  Winter’s  position.  Fur- 
ther spasmodic  charges  on  the  left,  by  the  enemy,  were 
repelled  by  Perry’s  and  Whipple’s  cavalry,  dismounted, 
and  Morris’s  artillery.  Yet  a few  Indian  sharpshooters, 
finding  hiding-places,  managed  to  so  annoy  every  man  who 
approached  the  spring,  our  water  supply,  that,  in  spite  of 
our  successful  charges,  the  situation  at  dark  was  still 
uncomfortable. 

During  the  night,  additional  stone  barricades  and  rifle- 
pits  were  constructed  by  ourselves,  and  by  the  enemy. 
Thus  each  party,  still  hopeful  of  a final  victory,  spent 
much  of  the  night  in  the  hard  work  of  preparation. 

In  the  darkness,  a few  officers,  in  spite  of  the  extreme 
danger  from  Indian  bullets,  went  several  times  quietly  to 
the  spring,  and  carried  away  full  buckets  of  water,  and 
took  them  to  the  lines  to  refresh  their  thirsty  men. 
Promptness  and  courage  had,  in  the  outset,  saved  the 
ammunition  and  food ; gallant  self-exposure  during  the 
darkness  saved  the  water-supply. 

At  daylight,  the  12th,  every  available  man  was  on  the 
line.  I directed  that  food  should  be  cooked,  and  coffee 
made,  at  the  centre,  and  carried  to  the  front.  This  was 
not  so  easy  to  do ; for  we  had  first  to  get  complete  pos- 
session of  the  spring,  as  sufficient  water  was  not  secured 
in  the  night.  This  feat  was  executed,  with  great  spirit, 
by  Miller  and  Perry,  using  Otis’s  battery,  and  Kodney’s 
company,  on  foot.  As  soon  as  the  battery  had  made  a 
rapid  firing,  it  ceased,  when  a prompt  charge  at  a run, 


THE  SECOND  DAT. 


163 


with  shouting,  was  undertaken  by  the  men  in  support. 
The  Indian  sharpshooters  were  thus  driven  from  their 
hiding-places,  and  the  spring  secured  by  our  riflemen 
against  recapture. 

As  soon  as  every  man  had  been  provided  with  food,  I 
directed  that  the  artillery  battalion  be  withdrawn  from 
the  lines,  thin  though  they  were  already,  and  that  the  whole 
stretch  be  held  by  the  infantry  and  cavalry.  This  gave  a 
reserve  force  to  employ  in  any  offensive  movement.  It 
should  be  remembered  that  the  number  of  our  men  on 
the  lines,  and  the  number  of  the  Indian  warriors  that 
Joseph  marshalled,  were  about  equal.  Miller  withdrew 
his  battalion,  and  at  2 30,  p.  m.,  the  time  I had  selected, 
was  preparing  to  execute  a peculiar  movement,  viz.,  to 
push  out  by  the  left  flank,  piercing  the  enemy’s  line  just 
left  of  the  centre,  cross  his  barricaded  ravine,  then  to 
face  suddenly  to  the  right,  and  charge,  so  as  to  strike 
the  Indian  position  in  reverse,  assisting  himself  mean- 
while by  a howitzer. 

Miller  'was  fully  ready  and  about  to  move,  when  be- 
yond the  Indian  position,  toward  the  south,  a dust  ap- 
peared in  the  distance.  Our  glasses,  quickly  catching 
every  new  appearance,  revealed  it  as  an  expected  supply 
train,  escorted  by  Jackson’s  cavalry  company.  Immedi- 
ately the  artillery  battalion,  which  was  waiting  for  the 
other  work,  wras  sent  out  to  meet  the  new-comers.  This 
occasioned  considerable  skirmishing,  and  the  delay  of  an 
hour,  when  the  train  was  brought  in  in  safety.  To  our 
joy,  Major  Keeler,  of  General  McDowell’s  staff,  accom- 
panied the  escort,  and  brought  us  cheering  words  from  his 
general,  at  San  Francisco,  as  well  as  welcome  re-enforce- 


164 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


merits.  At  the  time  of  these  arrivals  I had  ridden  out  a 
few  yards,  to  secure  a fair  view  of  the  field. 

Upon  my  invitation,  Major  Keeler  came  forward  to  see 
the  battle,  and  took  a place  by  my  side. 

Captain  Miller,  instead  of  returning  with  the  train,  was 
marching  slowly  in  column  by  the  right  flank  towards  us, 
when,  as  he  crossed  the  enemy’s  line,  just  at  the  right 
point,  he  faced  to  the  left,  moved  quickly  in  line  for  nearly 
a mile  across  our  front,  and  repeatedly  charged  the  ene- 
my’s positions.  This  manner  of  striking  at  an  angle, 
and  following  up  the  break,  is  called  " rolling  up  the  ene- 
my’s line.”  This  Miller  accomplished  most  effectually. 
The  usual  attempt  to  double  his  left  was  made  by  the  In- 
dians, when  a reserved  company,  Kodney’s,  in  Miller’s 
rear,  deployed,  and  flanked  the  flankers,  and  drove  them 
back. 

For  a few  minutes  there  was  a stubborn  resistance  at 
Joseph’s  barricades  ; then  his  whole  line  gave  way.  Im- 
mediately the  pursuit  was  taken  up  by  the  whole  force, 
infantry  and  artillery,  Winter’s  troop  dismounted,  and 
the  remaining  cavalry  as  soon  as  they  could  saddle  and 
mount.  This  movement  was  decisive.  The  Indians  are 
completely  routed,  and  flying  over  the  rugged  banks, 
through  the  ravines,  swimming  and  wading  the  river,  and 
our  forces  are  in  close  pursuit. 


PURSUIT  ACROSS  THE  RIVER. 


165 


CHAPTER  XXY. 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  WAR.  — BATTLE  OF  THE  CLEARWATER.  — A 
BRIEF  PURSUIT  ACROSS  THE  RIVER.  — THE  CHARGE  DOWN 
THE  STEEP  AT  KAMIAH.  - INDIANS  CROSSING  THE  CLEAR- 
WATER. — A BRISK  SKIRMISH.  — JOSEPH’S  POSITION.  — THE 
BEGINNING  OF  THE  LOLO  TRAIL.  — RECONNOITERING. — 
JOSEPH’S  DIPLOMACY.  — SURRENDER  OF  A PART.  — MASON’S 
EXPEDITION.  — SPRINGING  AN  AMBUSCADE. 

ACKSON’S  cavalry,  just  arrived,  moved  off  quickly 


fj  along  the  plateau,  followed  the  gatling  gun,  in  sup- 
port, at  a trot,  as  far  as  the  bluff  overlooking  the  river. 
The  howitzers  were  brought  to  the  same  point,  with 
Trimble’s  company,  and  shot  and  shell  poured  into  the 
retreating  masses  of  Indians  and  ponies.  They  were 
closely  pursued  through  the  ravines  into  the  deep  canyon, 
thence  to  the  river,  over  rocks,  down  precipices,  and 
along  trails,  almost  too  steep  and  craggy  to  traverse.  The 
footmen  pressed  them  to  that  part  of  the  river  opposite 
the  Indian  camp.  The  river  being  too  deep  and  rapid  for 
the  men  to  ford,  they  here  waited  for  the  cavalry  under 
Perry.  The  cavalry  worked  its  way  as  rapidly  as  it 
could  from  its  position  on  the  left,  down  the  rugged 
mountain  steeps,  to  the  deep  ford,  and  crossed  slowly 
into  the  Indian  camp.  But  Perry,  instead  of  pressing 
after  Joseph  up  the  bluffs  on  the  other  side,  strongly 
posted  his  force  near  the  Indian  lodges ; meanwhile,  the 
gatling  guns  and  the  howitzers,  near  which  I was  observ- 


166 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


ing,  were  doing  their  best  to  reach  the  Indians,  who  were 
fleeing  in  every  direction  up  the  heights,  and  disappear- 
ing to  the  left  of  Cottonwood  Creek.  At  this  time,  about 
five,  p.  m.,  I was  following  up  the  movement,  descending 
a steep  trail  down  the  mountain  side,  when  I discovered  a 
number  of  the  warriors,  apparently  returning  toward  their 
camp  from  the  Cottonwood  ravine.  They  were,  at  the 
time,  at  least  three  miles  from  us.  I warned  Perry,  and 
directed  him  immediately  to  ferry  over  the  footmen  with 
his  horses. 

While  doing  this  time  was  consumed,  and  the  Indians, 
instead  of  returning  to  attack  us,  as  they  appeared  to 
meditate,  had  turned  eastward,  crossed  the  Cottonwood 
Canyon,  and,  under  cover  of  a ravine,  had  gone  far  in 
advance,  and  out  of  sight.  It  being  evidently  impossible 
to  overtake  the  fugitives  before  dark,  further  pursuit  was 
postponed  until  the  next  morning. 

The  Indian  camp,  abandoned  in  haste,  had  the  lodges 
still  standing,  filled  with  their  effects,  — blankets,  buffalo 
robes,  cooking  utensils,  food  cooking  on  the  fires,  flour, 
jerked  beef,  and  plunder  of  all  descriptions.  The  many 
wounded  and  dead  horses  in  and  near  the  encampment 
showed  that  our  artillery  had  reached  it. 

We  had,  on  our  side,  put  into  the  engagement,  for  these 
two  days,  four  hundred  fighting  men.  The  Indians,  under 
Chief  Joseph,  over  three  hundred  warriors ; also  a great 
number  of  women,  who  assisted  in  providing  spare  horses 
and  ammunition, — as  did  our  "packers”  and  horse-holders, 
— thus  forming  for  them  a substantial  reserve.  They  had 
twenty-three  killed,  about  forty  wounded,  many  of  whom 
subsequently  died,  and  some  forty  that  fell  into  our  hands 


INDIANS  CROSS  THE  CLEARWATER. 


167 


as  prisoners.  Our  loss  was  thirteen  lolled,  and  twenty- 
two  wounded. 

The  Nez  Perces  fought  with  skill,  and  with  the  utmost 
obstinacy.  Nobody  could  complain  of  our  men  on  that 
held.  " A small  battle  ! ” Yes,  if  we  estimate  by  the 
numbers  engaged.  But  the  forces  were  quite  equally 
matched,  and  it  required  just  as  much,  perhaps  more, 
nerve  to  do  one’s  duty  there,  where  the  loss  of  a battle 
involves  the  direst  consequences ; and  wounds  and  death 
were  the  same  to  those  who  suffered  as  in  engagements 
where  more  lives  are  at  stake. 

The  next  morning  we  were  early  on  the  march.  As 
soon  as  we  reached  the  heights  above  Kamiah  we  saw  that 
the  enemy’s  families,  their  stock  and  effects,  were  already 
mostly  across  the  Clearwater,  a mile  above  the  ferry. 
Our  little  force,  now  in  hot  pursuit,  pressed  down  the 
trail  as  rapidly  as  possible,  and  moved  in  two  columns, 
at  a trot,  to  the  place  of  crossing.  When  the  river  was 
reached  by  our  skirmishers  the  last  warrior  was  already 
over,  and  well  up  the  other  bank.  The  gatling  guns  and 
musketry  were  quickly  located,  and  noisily  used ; but  with 
little  apparent  effect,  except,  perhaps,  to  increase  the  ra- 
pidity of  Chief  Joseph’s  retreat.  As  Perry’s  and  Whip- 
ple’s cavalry  neared  the  enemy’s  crossing,  and  were  pass- 
ing the  flank  of  a high  bluff,  which  was  situated  just 
beyond  the  river,  a brisk  fire  from  Indian  rifles  was 
suddenly  opened  upon  them.  It  created  a great  panic 
and  disorder ; our  men  jumped  from  their  horses,  and  ran 
to  the  cover  of  the  fences.  Little  damage  resulted,  ex- 
cept the  shame  to  us,  and  a fierce  delight  to  the  foe. 

We  learned  that  the  enemy  had  intended  to  make  a halt 


168 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


and  a firm  stand  before  going  over  the  river,  and  from 
behind  barricades  and  natural  cover,  to  meet  us  ; but  our 
rapid  descent  of  the  Ivamiah  hills,  and  resolute  approach, 
coupled  with  their  defeat  of  the  day  before,  they  could 
not  stand ; so  that  when  our  columns  came  in  view,  on  the 
heights,  they  sprang  upon  their  skin  rafts,  already  over- 
loaded, and  swam  over,  occasioning  the  loss  of  many  of 
their  supplies,  which  their  women  had  saved,  and  brought 
off  from  their  abandoned  camp  near  the  field  of  battle. 

Joseph,  with  the  same  quickness  of  judgment  which  he 
had  displayed  at  White-Bird,  the  Salmon,  the  Cottonwood, 
and  the  Clearwater,  took  a position  at  the  beginning  of  the 
Lolo  trail,  and  beyond  the  reach  of  our  longest  guns.  Here 
his  scouts,  from  every  elevated  point,  watched  the  unfold- 
ing of  our  plans,  so  that  the  wary  chief  was  always  ready 
to  conform  his  motions  to  ours.  There  was  a junction  of 
trails  beyond  him,  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  off.  Could  I 
but  get  there  ! Perhaps  I could,  by  going  back  a little, 
and  then  down  river  and  across  ; quick,  indeed,  if  at  all ; 
and  secret ! 

The  fourteenth  was  spent  in  reconnoitering.  The  fif- 
teenth I started  a column  of  cavalry  with  intention  of  as- 
cending the  heights  to  the  rear,  as  if  en  route  to  Lapwai, 
but  really  to  move  in  an  easterly  direction  twenty  miles 
down  the  Clearwater  to  Dunwell’s  Ferry,  and  crossing 
there  to  attempt  to  gain  the  trail  to  the  rear  of  the  Indians, 
as  they  were  still  encamping  in  plain  sight,  and  not  more 
than  four  miles  from  Kamiah.  But  their  eyes  were  too 
sharp  for  the  success  of  this  manoeuvre ; for  I had  not 
proceeded  more  than  six  miles  before  the  Indians  began 
to  break  camp,  and  to  retreat,  in  good  earnest,  along  the 


mason’s  expedition. 


169 


Lolo  trail,  toward  Montana  and  the  east.  Therefore, 
leaving  Captain  Jackson  and  his  company,  and  a few  vol- 
unteers, who  had  just  returned  to  me,  to  watch  1) unwell’s 
Ferry,  I returned  at  once  to  Kamiah  and  prepared  to 
move,  as  quickly  as  possible,  my  entire  command  over 
the  river.  My  own  return  to  Kamiah  was  hastened  by  a 
request,  said  to  be  sent  in  from  Joseph,  asking  on  what 
terms  he  could  surrender.  "While  I was  talking  to  his 
messenger,  not  far  from  the  river,  a shot  was  fired  from 
the  enemy  upon  our  picket,  which  struck  near  the  con- 
sulting parties.  The  messenger  himself,  his  family,  and 
some  others,  subsequently  surrendered,  but  not  Joseph. 

It  was  doubtless  a ruse,  intended  to  delay  our  move- 
ments, but  fortunately  it  did  not  affect  them. 

The  seventeenth  I sent  Colonel  Mason,  of  my  staff,  in 
command  of  the  cavalry,  Indian  scouts,  and  McConville’s 
volunteers,  which  force,  with  great  labor,  had  been  fer- 
ried to  the  other  bank,  to  pursue  the  hostiles  for  two 
marches.  The  trail  was  exceedingly  difficult,  and  passed 
mostty  over  wooded  mountains.  The  woods  were  filled 
with  fallen  timber.  This  condition  of  things  enabled 
the  Indians  to  form  ambuscades  with  ease.  Mason  fol- 
lowed the  enemy  rapidly,  as  directed,  for  the  two  marches 
condensed  into  one,  to  within  three  miles  of  Oro  Fino 
Creek.  His  scouts  first  ran  into  the  enemy’s  rear  guard. 
Three  of  the  scouts  were  disarmed,  one  was  wounded,  and 
one  killed.  One  of  the  enemy  was  killed,  and  two  pack- 
animals  captured.  Having  accomplished,  as  he  believed, 
the  object  of  his  movement ; viz.,  to  ascertain  Joseph’s  in- 
tentions, and  to  engage  him  if  he  could  do  so  to  advantage, 
and  having  found  the  trail  unfit  for  action  with  the  cav- 


170 


NEZ  PEECE  JOSEPH. 


airy,  where  a small  rear-guard,  having  covered  themselves 
with  fringes  of  thick  trees,  could  easily  throw  our  people 
into  confusion,  he  concluded  to  return ; so  that  at  eight, 
a.  m.,  the  eighteenth,  the  pursuing  column  was  again  at 
Kamiah.  This  really  ended  the  campaign  within  the 
limits  of  my  department. 

The  Indians  had  been  well  led,  and  well  fought.  They 
had  defeated  two  companies  in  a pitched  battle.  They 
had  eluded  pursuit,  and  crossed  the  Salmon.  They  had 
turned  back  and  crossed  our  communications,  had  kept 
our  cavalry  on  the  defensive,  and  defeated  a company  of 
volunteers.  They  had  been  finally  forced  to  concentrate, 
it  is  true,  and  had  been  brought  to  battle.  But,  in  battle 
with  regular  troops,  they  had  held  out  for  nearly  two 
days  before  they  were  beaten,  and  after  that  were  still 
able  to  keep  together,  cross  a river  too  deep  to  be  forded, 
and  then  check  our  pursuing  cavalry  and  make  off  to 
other  parts  beyond  Idaho.  The  result  would  necessitate 
a long  and  tedious  chase. 

Still,  on  our  side,  the  Indians  had  been  stopped  in 
their  murders,  had  been  resolutely  met  everywhere,  and 
driven  into  position,  and  beaten ; and,  by  subsequent 
pursuit,  the  vast  country  was  freed  from  their  terrible 
presence.  As  it  has  since  been  proven,  by  means  of 
these  few  months  of  hard  work,  and  some  attendant  abuse, 
the  whole  extensive  region  of  eastern  Oregon  and  northern 
Idaho  was  completely  delivered  from  perpetual  conflicts 
and  just  causes  of  alarm. 


JOSEPH  AND  THE  LONG  PURSUIT. 


171 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

JOSEPH  AND  THE  LONG  PURSUIT. —FIRST  PLAN.  — WHY  ABAN- 
DONED.— SECOND  PLAN  ADOPTED.—  LONG  MARCH  BEGINS.— 
GREEN’S  ARRIVAL.  — AN  INDIAN  RELIGIOUS  SERVICE.  — 
RIVER  CROSSING.  — TROUBLE  WITH  INDIAN  SCOUTS.  — BUF- 
FALO HORN.  — ROBBINS’  TRAIL  OBSTRUCTED.  — CAMP  DE- 
SCRIBED, WITH  DETAIL.  — DIFFICULTIES  OF  THE  LOLO.  — 
SPURGIN  AND  THE  PIONEERS. 

I HEARD  a quaint  newspaper  man  once  say,  with  re- 
gard to  a congressional  report,  " I never  read  that 
kind  of  literature  except  under  compulsion ! ” Military 
reports,  with  their  technical  terms,  unembellished  lan- 
guage, and  their  wearisome  monotony  of  style,  are 
equally  forbidding  to  the  common  mind,  else  I would 
venture  to  introduce  here  one  or  two  military  orders, 
which  were  extracted  from  a campaign  report ; hut  I 
forbear,  if  the  reader  will  but  allow  himself  to  he  de- 
tained by  a few  dry  statements  of  plans,  in  order  to  give 
him  his  bearings,  before  he  plunges  into  the  wild  forests 
which  he  must  cross  in  passing  from  Kamiah,  Idaho,  to 
the  Bitter-Root  River  of  Montana. 

First  plan : To  leave  a small  garrison  at  Kamiah,  go 
back  to  Lewiston,  pick  up  supplies,  press  on  to  Missoula 
at  once ; consign  Camas  Prairie  and  thereabouts  to  Col. 
Green,  who  would  be  on  hand  from  Fort  Boise  in  about 
ten  days ; and  entrust  all  else  to  General  Wheaton,  with 


172 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


Second  Infantry,  now  fast  coming  from  Georgia,  by  rail- 
road, steamship,  and  steamboat,  to  Lewiston. 

My  first  plan  was  abandoned ; because  of  some  just 
reasons  for  alarm  among  whites  and  friendly  Indians, 
who  feared  that  Joseph  would  come  back  before  we  were 
halt  way  to  Lewiston.  Though  I had  halted  my  troops 
on  change  of  plan,  still,  during  a delay  for  supplies,  I 
went  in  person  to  Lapwai.  After  sending  despatches, 
and  taking  a brief  rest,  I turned  back  to  my  command. 
From  a story  that  had  reached  me  I had  hoped  to  have  met 
my  wife.  The  story  proved  false,  and  the  disappointment 
real.  On  the  return  Lieutenant  Pierce,  of  the  Twenty-first 
Infantry,  who  had  been  detained  at  the  fort  as  ordnance 
officer,  was  my  companion.  His  conversation  was  pleasant 
and  refreshing  during  the  long  and  tedious  ride.  In  ascend- 
ing  Craig’s  Mountain,  on  the  Kamiah  trail,  with  a view  to 
relieve  our  weary  horses,  we  dismounted  and  walked  to- 
gether. It  was  a tough  climb,  and  the  lieutenant  was 
extremely  fatigued  when  we  had  reached  the  summit.  I 
then  turned,  with  the  main  force,  to  Croaesdale’s  farm, 
situated  on  the  famous  Camas  Prairie,  and  remained  for 
some  days  looking  towards  Kamiah,  to  support  the  little 
garrison  which  was  left  there  if  Indians  should  indeed 
turn  back ; looking  towards  Mount  Idaho  for  Green’s 
head  of  column ; wishing  it  to  annihilate  space ; waiting 
there  eight  days,  while  a fearful  newspaper  clamor  came 
from  the  rear,  of,  " Slow  ! Slow  ! No  ability ; will 
never  catch  the  Indians  ! ” 

Second  plan  evolved : Hostile  Indians,  with  few  ex- 
ceptions (their  rear  guard  back  stealing  ponies,  causing 
the  late  alarm) , had  gone  off  by  the  Lolo  trail.  My  dis- 


LONG  MARCH  BEGINS. 


173 


positions  were  to  form  two  columns  and  a reserve ; to 
accompany  the  right  column  myself ; the  left  column  to 
he  in  charge  of  Wheaton ; and  the  reserve  to  stay  on 
Camas  Prairie,  under  Green.  The  right  column  to  take 
up  the  direct  pursuit  along  Lolo  trail ; the  left  column  to 
go  eastward  by  Mullan  road,  look  after  old  " Columbia 
River  renegades  ” and  malcontent  Indians,  keep  the  peace 
if  possible,  and,  at  first,  like  the  right  column,  set  out  for 
Missoula,  Montana  ; the  reserve.must  watch  out  on  all  trails, 
keep  inter-communication,  be  ready  for  hostile  Indians, 
should  they  double  back,  and  give  heart  to  all  neighbor- 
ing farmers,  miners,  prospecters,  and  friendly  Indians, 
by  the  show  of  protection  at  hand. 

This  new  order  of  things  being  established,  and  under- 
stood, we,  of  the  right  column,  began  the  long  march, 
Thursday,  the  26th  of  July,  1877.  The  first  stage,  six- 
teen miles,  to  Kamiah,  was  a rolling  prairie,  with  excel- 
lent grazing,  and  wood  and  water  in  the  canyons. 

July  27.  The  infantry,  artillery,  and  Jackson’s  com- 
pany of  cavalry  crossed  the  Clearwater. 

The  28th  (Saturday).  I took  what  few  there  were  of 
McConville’s  volunteers  and  made  a reconnoissance  to 
what  is  called  the  " Little  Camas,”  marching  a distance 
of  ten  or  eleven  miles  through  the  rough,  thicket  trail ; 
found  no  signs  of  Indian  families,  no  stock  of  any  conse- 
quence belonging  to  the  hostiles ; and  then  returned  to 
Kamiah.  It  was  pretty  evident  that  the  wild  ones  had 
left  the  department.  This  day  the  head  of  Green’s  col- 
umn, from  Boise,  reached  us.  Major  Sanford  was  in 
command.  He  brought  three  companies  of  cavalry 
under  Bendire,  Carr,  and  Wagner,  and  twenty  Bannock 


174 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


Indian  scouts.  Two  companies  of  infantry,  with  Green 
himself,  were  reported  still  far  back,  at  Florence  ; but  we 
could  not,  properly,  any  longer  wait. 

Next  day,  (Sunday,)  while  the  troops  were  finish- 
ing the  slow  crossing  of  the  Clearwater,  at  Kamiah,  clos- 
ing up  the  supplies,  and  getting  everything  ready  for  the 
long  journey,  James  Lawyer,  the  Nez  Perce  head-chief 
of  the  friendly  people,  called  his  Nez  Perces  together, 
near  the  river,  and  invited  the  Bannock  scouts,  and  all  of 
us  who  could  come,  to  participate  in  a religious  service. 
Archie  Lawyer,  who  had  been  so  faithfully  taught  by  a 
worthy  Christian  worker,  Miss  MacBeth,  stood  forth  and 
preached  an  earnest  sermon  to  the  Indians,  in  the  Nez 
Perce  language.  He  frequently  turned  and  spoke  to  us 
in  English.  He  held  a Bible  in  his  hands,  and  translated 
its  words  readily  into  the  Indian  tongue.  Many  officers 
and  men  were  present,  and  manifested  much  interest  in 
this  meeting.  The  singing  was  quite  good.  After  ser- 
vice I made  to  the  people  some  remarks,  which  were 
translated  by  Archie  Lawyer,  for  those  who  could  not 
understand  the  English. 

Many  Indians  can  follow  a short  conversation  who  can- 
not keep  up  with  a connected  discourse  in  English.  I was 
glad  enough  to  have  this  service  of  prayer,  singing,  and 
speaking,  before  we  left.  I think  many  besides  myself 
felt  as  I did.  There  is  a stern  reality  in  going  from  all 
you  love  into  the  dread  uncertainty  of  Indian  fighting, 
where,  perhaps,  the  worst  form  of  torture  and  death 
await  you.  It  is  very  wise  and  proper  to  ask  God’s 
blessing,  and  particularly  so  in  these  turning-points  of 


BUFFALO  HORN. 


175 


life,  when  about  to  plunge  into  the  dark  clouds  of  any 
warfare. 

On  the  30th  of  July  we  were  up  before  the  dawn  ; the 
headquarters  were  moved  across  the  river  at  four,  a.  m.  ; 
and  the  whole  column  Avas  in  motion  by  five.  It  rained 
heavily,  the  mud  increased,  and  the  path  was  narrow, 
steep,  and  slippery  as  Ave  ascended  the  heights  beyond 
Kamiah. 

We  found  an  abrupt  descent  at  the  Lolo  fork ; none 
but  old  frontiersmen  and  Indians  could  ride  doAvn,  so  Ave 
slipped  and  slid,  fell,  and  scrambled  up  again.  The  pine 
trees  Avere  abundant,  and,  most  of  the  way,  filled  in  Avith 
a thick  underbrush.  We  had,  this  day,  our  first  trouble 
Avith  the  Bannock  scouts.  They  had  come  from  Boise ; 
were  tired,  and  did  not  mean  to  go  any  farther.  Buf- 
falo Horn,  a young  Indian,  very  handsomely  decked  off 
with  skins  and  plumage,  fortunately,  for  this  time,  took 
the  side  of  their  Avhite  chief,  Robbins,  and  induced  all  but 
three  to  keep  on  Avith  us  for  the  present. 

At  the  " We-ipe,”  the  glade  which  Ave  have  before  de- 
scribed, there  Avas  quite  a lengthy  opening  in  the  forest, 
and  plenty  of  water  and  grass.  The  hostile  Indians  had 
pastured  this  plat  pretty  Avell,  and  had  dug  over  much  of 
the  land  for  the  camas  roots,  Avhich  are  often  used  by  the 
Nez  Perces  for  food.  They  are  shaped  something  like 
onions,  but  more  elongated,  and  have  a sweetish,  clammy 
taste,  AArhich  is  quite  palatable. 

The  weather  cleared  up  before  sundoAvn,  and  we  gladly 
put  our  weary  soldiers  into  camp.  They  had  marched 
sixteen  miles  up  mountain-heights,  by  narrow,  crooked 
horse-trails,  Avhere  the  mud  was  deep,  and  there  could  be 


176 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


no  firmness  to  the  tread,  but  it  was  slip,  slip,  all  the  day. 
Sixteen  miles  are  equivalent  to  thirty  on  a good  road,  and 
in  fair  Aveather.  Our  trail  ahead,  we  learned,  was  much 
obstructed  by  fallen  trees.  It  is  Avonderful  Avhat  vast 
numbers  of  trees,  of  all  sizes  and  descriptions,  were  up- 
rooted by  the  Avinds  ; and  they  had  fallen  in  every  possi- 
ble troublesome  Avay,  so  that,  matted  together,  even  when 
small,  it  Avas  very  perplexing  to  get  them  out  of  the  path. 
Nothing  but  axes  Avould  do  it.  We  Avere,  therefore,  look- 
ing anxiously  for  our  " pioneers.”  Some  forty  or  fifty  of 
them,  Avith  axes,  Avere  coming  from  LeAviston.  We 
named  tins  glade-like  opening  in  the  almost  endless  forest 
for  our  commander  of  the  cavalry  battalion,  " Camp  San- 
ford.” This  was  his  first  day  with  us.  Miller  continued 
in  charge  of  the  foot  artillery,  Otis  of  our  hoAvitzer  bat- 
tery, which  is  mounted  on  muleback,  and  Miles  had  com- 
mand of  the  infantry  battalion. 

Every  day’s  record  of  a march  like  this  becomes  mo- 
notonous ; so  that,  for  the  benefit  of  patient  readers,  after 
giving  a brief  picture  of  one  camp  and  headquarters,  we 
will  only  add  here  and  there  a scrap  from  the  journal. 

The  camp  Avas  generally  rectangular  in  form.  One 
battalion  covered  the  front,  usually,  encamping  in  line, 
and  sending  guard  and  pickets  well  out.  A second 
covered  the  sides  or  flanks,  and  a third  the  rear.  The 
battery  took  its  place  at  will,  selecting  as  good  a position 
as  the  nature  of  the  ground  afforded.  For  headquarters 
a place  Avas  sought  of  easy  communication,  and  having  a 
neat  plat  of  ground,  Avith  wood  and  water  convenient.  On 
coming  to  the  place  selected  for  the  night’s  halt,  Colonel 
Mason  distributed  the  troops,  guards,  and  outposts. 


CAMP  DETAIL. 


177 


The  " big  tent  ” was  a common  square  tent.  Mason 
had  a smaller  one  of  special  make,  with  joint  and  hinges 
in  the  uprights  and  in  the  ridge-pole.  This  arrangement 
enabled  him  to  fold  all  in  compact  bundles  for  packing  on 
the  mules.  His  was  put  beside  the  big  one,  on  one  side ; 
a tent-fly  was  pitched,  with  open  front  and  back,  on  the 
other.  These  now  were  made  to  house  Dr.  Alexander, 
the  army  surgeon,  Lieutenant  Fletcher,  aide-de-camp, 
and  the  news  correspondent,  Mr.  Sutherland,  who  had 
joined  us  at  Salmon  River.  I took  Lieutenants  C.  E.  S. 
Wood  and  Guy  Howard,  aides,  into  my  tent.  The  quar- 
termaster, Lieutenant  Ebstein,  pitched  still  another  tent- 
fly  for  himself  and  his  clerks.  A small  pack-train,  under 
Louis,  the  Mexican,  came  up  promptly  after  the  night’s 
halt  was  called. 

The  kitchen  was  placed  some  twenty  paces  off,  to  the 
left  rear,  near  a stump,  or  clump  of  trees.  The  kitchen 
consisted  of  our  mess-chest  and  one  or  two  canvas  bao-s, 
one  or  two  mule-loads,  according  to  the  state  of  the  sup- 
plies. There  were  one  man  for  cook  and  one  for  helper. 
Our  cook  had  the  suggestive  name  of  " Kid.”  He  had, 
in  himself,  a mine  of  practical  helpfulness  for  tent  life. 
At  first  we  had  no  chair,  none  until  Captain  Pollock,  — 
reluctant  to  admit  the  claims  of  age,  insisted  upon  giving 
me  his  camp-stool.  When  the  nights  were  damp  or  cold 
we  always  had  a large  fire  made  in  front  of  the  big  tent. 
Our  beds  were  common  blankets  or  robes  of  skin,  the  buf- 
falo, fox,  squirrel  skins,  and  the  like,  placed  on  the 
ground.  Our  table  consisted  of  a square  piece  of  canvas, 
spread  near  the  " kitchen,”  in  fair  weather,  and  within  the 
big  tent  when  it  was  rainy.  One  soon  learns,  when  his 
12 


178 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


goods  have  to  go  on  aparejos,  fastened  to  mules’  backs, 
that  " man  wants  but  little  here  below.” 

A more  cheery,  hearty,  happy  company  than  ours  at 
headquarters  is  seldom  found.  Sometimes  the  officer  is 
worn  with  anxiety,  weary  with  long  and  tedious  marches 
and  loss  of  sleep,  still  he  unbends  at  the  mess-table, 
and  tells  lively  stories  to  the  circle  around  the  camp- 
fire. There  is  no  more  intimate  association  amon^  men 

O 

than  that,  during  a lengthy  campaign,  at  a common 
mess.  Generally  we  gave  two  hours  in  the  morning, 
from  the  waking  to  the  starting.  Reveille  at  three  or 
four,  breakfast  at  four  or  five,  and  march  at  five  or 
six. 

On  Thursday,  the  second  day  of  August,  the  journal 
record  was  as  follows  : " The  command  left  Camp  Win- 
ters at  seven,  a.  m.  Artillery  at  head  of  column.  Day 
clear  and  pleasantly  cool.  Captain  Spurgin  came  into 
camp  at  six,  a.  m.,  bringing  us  news  of  his  company  of 
pioneers,  still  several  miles  behind.  He  was  left,  that 
morning,  at  Camp  Winters,  to  bring  them  up.  The  trail 
led  through  woods  of  same  general  character  as  before ; 
rather  a ' slow  trail,’  owing  to  mountainous  country  and 
fallen  timber.  The  summit  of  the  hills  was  covered  with 
rough  granite  boulders,  making  the  path  quite  difficult. 
There  was  a plenty  of  excellent  springs  on  trail ; our 
men  travel  it  well,  and  are  in  good  order.  We  march 
sixteen  miles,  and  encamp  on  a slope  of  the  mountain. 
Poor  grazing,  indeed,  here.  The  only  feed  consists  of 
wild  dwarf  lupine,  and  wire-grass.  Several  mules  were 
exhausted,  and  some  packs  of  bacon  were  abandoned  by 
the  way.  Robins,  in  charge  of  scouts,  reports  that 


SPURGIN  AND  THE  PIONEERS. 


179 


' loose  Indian  horses,  broken  down  always,  were  seen 
along  the  trail.’  ” 

We  went  into  camp,  named  " Evan  Miles,”  at  about 
four,  p.  M.  Spurgin,  with  pioneers,  arrived  at  dark. 

Such  was  the  record  of  a day.  If  one  could  stand  on 
Mount  Washington,  in  New  Hampshire,  and  look  off 
northward  toward  Canada,  he  could  see,  in  a clear  day, 
much  such  a country  as  this  through  which  we  were 
wending  our  way.  It  does  not  appear  far  to  the  next 
peak.  It  is  not  so  in  a straight  course,  but  such  a 
course  is  impossible.  " Keep  to  the  hog-back  ! ” That 
means  there  is  usually  a crooked  connecting  ridge  be- 
tween two  neighboring  mountain-heights,  and  you  must 
keep  on  it.  The  necessity  of  doing  so  often  made  the 
distance  three  times  greater  than  by  straight  lines ; but 
the  ground  was  too  stony,  too  steep,  the  canyon  too  deep, 
to  attempt  the  shorter  course.  Conceive  this  climbing 
ridge  after  ridge,  in  the  wildest  kind  of  wilderness,  with 
the  only  possible  pathway  filled  with  timber,  small  and 
large,  crossed  and  criss-crossed ; and  now,  while  the 
horses  and  mules  are  feeding  on  innutritious  wire- 
grass,  you  will  not  wonder  at  " only  sixteen  miles  a 
day.” 

" Didn’t  the  hostile  Indians  go  here  ? ” the  reader  in- 
quires. Yes  ; they  jammed  their  ponies  through,  up  the 
rocks,  over,  and  under,  and  around  the  logs,  and  among 
the  fallen  trees,  without  attempting  to  cut  a limb,  leaving 
blood  to  mark  their  path ; and  abandoned  animals,  with 
broken  legs,  or  " played  out,”  or  stretched  dead  by  the 
wayside. 

Our  guide,  Chapman,  says,  in  frontier  parlance,  " No 


180 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


man  living  can  get  so  much  out  of  a horse  like  an  Indian 
can.”  Had  we,  for  three  days,  along  the  Lolo  trail,  fol- 
lowed closely  the  hostiles'  unmerciful  example,  we  would 
not  then  have  had  ten  mules  left  on  their  feet  lit  to  carry 
our  sugar,  coffee,  and  hard-bread. 


JOSEPH,  AND  THE  PURSUIT. 


181 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


JOSEPH,  AND  THE  PURSUIT.  — A BREAK  IN  THE  STORY.  — BUF- 
FALO HORN  IN  A NEW  LIGHT.  — AN  EFFORT  TO  LOCATE  ON 
LOLO  TRAIL.  — MESSENGERS.  — NEWS  FROM  MONTANA.  — 
HOW  THE  INDIANS  FLANKED  CAPTAIN  RAWN.  — LOUD  FIR- 
ING AHEAD.  - ANOTHER  RIVER-CROSSING.  — NO  FORAGE.— 
FISH  ABUNDANT.  — MULES  FASTING.  — THE  OASIS.  — WARM 
SPRINGS.  — A HORSEMAN  IN  SIGHT.  — DISPATCH  FROM  GIB- 
BON. — SERGEANT  SUTHERLAND.  — HE  GOES  OUT  AT  NIGHT 
WITH  AN  INDIAN  GUIDE. 

INCE  the  Nez  Perce  war,  another  has  come  and  gone. 


kJ  Though  covering  a smaller  region,  it  was  a more 
complicated  affair,  and  the  windings  and  twistings  made 
the  sum  of  our  journeys  quite  as  long. 

In  the  last  chapter  I mentioned  the  good  conduct  of 
Buffalo  Horn,  the  chief  Bannock  scout.  This  trusted 
Indian,  who  never  received  from  white  men  anything  but 
kindness  and  confidence,  the  next  year  became  the  leader 
of  the  Bannock  war. 

Let  us  imagine  that  we  have  toiled  on  over  those 
mountains  lying  between  Idaho  and  Montana,  two-thirds 
of  the  way  across ; that  we  have  met  Mr.  Curley,  the 
messenger  who  went  from  Mount  Idaho  to  Missoula,  and 
was  returning,  with  an  Israelite  for  a companion:  Mr. 
Curley’s  face  was  cheery,  but  he  brought  us  bad  news. 
Joseph  and  Looking-glass,  with  their  hordes,  had  come 
up  to  the  hastily-constructed  fort  in  the  Lolo  Valley; 
had  promised  good  behavior,  in  consideration  for  a safe 


182 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


conduct  through  to  the  "Buffalo  Illahie.”  "Let  us  alone,” 
according  to  Jeff.  Davis,  "and  we  will  disturb  nobody.” 
Captain  Iiawn  was  there  at  the  time,  in  command  of  a 
few  regulars,  and  many  volunteers.  It  was  judged  best 
by  him  and  those  with  him  to  let  Joseph’s  band  go  by, 
close  on  the  right  flank,  and  the  whites  promise  not  to  fire. 
Who  can  think  of  the  apprehension  of  a scattered  pop- 
ulation and  blame  these  citizen-volunteers  for  lettine: 
" General  Howard’s  Indians  ” go  on,  provided  they  prom- 
ised to  do  no  damage  ? 

Yet  it  was  to  us  bad  news  that  the  Indians  had  gone  ; 
for  the  pass  where  the  fort  was  situated  was  reported  to 
be  narrow,  the  cliffs  on  either  side  high  and  difficult,  and 
therefore  we  hoped  that  these  Indians  would  be  stopped 
until  we  could  come  up  and  help  the  fort,  by  attacking 
from  the  west  and  rear.  It  mig-ht  have  saved  us  a long 
march,  much  public  abuse,  and  perhaps  have  secured  to 
us  the  enviable  reputation  of  being  good  Indian-fighters. 
We  had  passed  the  last  tine  of  the  Clearwater,  where  at 
night,  after  twenty-one  miles  of  the  roughest  country, 
with  Spurgin’s  pioneers  ahead,  cutting  out  the  trail,  we 
came  into  camp  in  the  twilight,  where  we  had  heard  loud 
echoes  of  firing  by  the  advanced  scouts,  and  thought  they 
had  come  upon  Joseph’s  rear-guard.  Then  we  spurred 
up  the  weary  animals  into  a tired  trot,  and,  along  this 
narrow  trail  descended  for  miles  through  the  almost  im- 
penetrable forest,  till  we  came  to  the  narrowest  of  val- 
leys, to  find  not  a mouthful  of  food  for  horse  or  mule, 
but  the  nicest  of  salmon  for  the  men,  in  water  about 
knee-deep, — water  clear  as  crystal,  rushing  and  plashing 
over  the  rocks.  The  echoes  which  deceived  us  into 


WARM  SPRINGS. 


183 


thinking  the  enemy  near,  were  from  the  scouts’  carbines, 
shooting  the  bigger  fish,  as  they  were  swimming  up  the 
Clearwater.  Glad  were  we  to  get  beyond  that  valley 
where  the  poor  mule  was  obliged  to  fast  all  night,  and 
tremble  and  sway  himself  back  and  forth  as  he  under- 
took to  take  his  load  up  the  steep  exit  at  four  o’clock  the 
next  morning. 

How  strong  and  firm  his  step  became  seven  miles 
ahead,  when  he  came  into  a mountain  glade,  where  there 
were  little  swampy  lakes,  and  the  greenest  of  grass  in 
plenty.  Here  was  the  place  where  mule  and  man  enjoyed 
a rest  and  a breakfast  far  more  satisfying  than  in  inhab- 
ited regions  which  are  replete  with  abundance.  Yes,  we 
have  passed  this  lovely  oasis  in  the  wild  Lolo  wilderness, 
and  have  come  to  an  opening  in  the  mountains,  which 
makes  us  feel  almost  as  if  the  tug  of  war  was  over.  But 
we  must  not  be  sanguine,  for  appearances  are  deceptive. 
Our  journal  says:  "Warm  Springs,  about  four,  p.  m. 
Nine  miles  from  Summit  Prairie  — (where  the  mule  and 
man  had  the  early  breakfast)  ; sixteen  miles  from  our  last 
camp.  Fine  camp  here  at  Hot  Springs,  (sulphur  water)  ; 
good  grazing,  and  mountain  brook.” 

It  requires  but  a little  imagination  for  the  reader  to  fill 
out  the  picture : Several  beautiful  pools  of  steaming 
water,  at  the  foot  of  a gently-sloping,  thinly-wooded  hill. 
Down  the  hill,  sweeping  swiftly  over  ledges,  and  throw- 
ing up  the  spray,  which  sparkles  in  the  sunshine,  from 
fissures  and  crevices  in  the  ledge,  glides  a broad,  shallow 
stream.  It  was  a charming  place.  The  wilderness  was 
speedily  changed  into  a beautiful  village.  Horses  and 
mules  were  feeding  on  the  green,  as  quiet  and  contented 


184 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


as  if  it  had  always  been  their  home.  The  camps  of  the 
men  were  promptly  arranged  in  order.  Blankets  and 
clothing  were  spread  for  airing,  and  already  the  under- 
clothing was  being  wrung  out  by  the  half-naked  owners, 
in  the  hot  water  of  the  pools,  and  waving  gently  on  the 
bushes,  as  the  sun  and  the  breeze  caused  the  speedy  dry- 
ing. This  peaceful  scene  of  l’est  and  comfort,  heightened 
by  the  statuesque  forms  of  the  bathers,  of  whom  we  had 
glimpses  from  the  more  distant  sulphur  pools,  was  dis- 
turbed by  the  cry,  from  the  outer  picket-post,  " A horse- 
man in  sight  from  the  East ! ” A tall  frontiersman  soon 
appeared,  riding  rapidly  into  our  camp. 

" My  name  is  Pardee.  I bring  a dispatch  from  General 
Gibbon  to  General  Howard.”  Pardee,  as  well  as  Curry, 
who  had  passed  us  a couple  of  days  before  on  the  trail, 
had  brought  us  tidings  of  General  Gibbon.  He,  Gib- 
■ bon,  had  left  his  headquarters  at  Helena,  hastened  in  our 
direction  to  Missoula,  and  arrived  after  the  Indians  had 
left  Pawn’s  fort ; he  had  with  him  less  than  two  hun- 
dred men,  but  with  these  had  pushed  forward  on  Chief 
Joseph’s  trail.  His  command  rolled  on  in  wagons  up  the 
Bitter  Root  Valley,  as  fast  as  horses  could  be  made  to  go. 
He  needed  a hundred  men  more,  and  hoped  that  I might 
send  them  by  forced  marches  to  overtake  him. 

Having  left  my  infantry  tramping  along  the  crooked 
trail,  I had  already  set  out  with  my  cavalry,  and  was 
about  a day  ahead,  when  this  6th  of  August  message 
arrived.  I had  but  two  hundred  souls,  all  told,  and  I 
had  a fancy  that  I myself  could  push  on  more  miles  in  a 
day  than  one  less  spurred  by  the  sense  of  responsibility. 
Gibbon  had  then  one  hundred  miles  the  start,  and  was 


SEEGEANT  SUTHEKLAND. 


185 


marching  fast.  We  could  not,  of  course,  with  tired  ani- 
mals, overtake  him  till  he  began  a slower  progress,  which 
he  must  do  to  cross  the  Rocky  Mountain  divide,  or  until 
he  stopped,  as  he  would  doubtless  do,  if  the  Indians  dis- 
covered the  fewness  of  his  numbers,  and  decided  to  give 
him  battle.  In  any  case,  he  might  delay  somewhere  for 
the  needed  accession  of  force. 

A trusty  sergeant,  by  the  name  of  Sutherland,  and  an 
Indian  scout,  were  selected  to  go  with  him.  They  left  at 
once  with  the  answer,  having  been  instructed  to  travel 
night  and  day  until  Gibbon  should  be  overtaken. 

" General  Howard  is  coming  on,  as  fast  as  possible,  by 
forced  marches,  'with  two  hundred  cavalrymen,  to  give 
the  needed  reinforcement.”  Such  was  the  substance  of 
Sutherland’s  message. 

Conceive  of  a brave  man  starting  out  at  night,  in  this 
wild  country,  with  only  an  Indian  to  guide  him  ! The 
way  was  rugged,  the  night  was  dark,  the  distance  was 
great,  and  he  a stranger;  but  he  was  resolute,  and  a 
soldier. 


186 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  XXVHL 


JOSEPH  ANT)  THE  PURSUIT.  — SUTHERLAND’S  PROGRESS.  — TILE 
TRAIL  DIFFICULT  AND  OBSTRUCTED.  — SHELVING  ROCKS.  — 
TILE  COYOTES.  — LIEUTENANT  FLETCHER  AND  GIBBON’S 
TALL  MESSENGER.  — SUTHERLAND  DESERTED  BY  HIS  IN- 
DIAN GUIDE. — HIS  HORSE  “PLAYS  OUT.”— BUCKING  HORSE 
DESCRIBED.  — THE  MOVEMENT  OF  TROOPS  FOLLOWING  THE 
MESSENGER.  — TWENTY-TWO  MILES  EQUIVALENT  TO  FORTY. 
—GENERAL  SHERMAN’S  PROXIMITY.-COLONEL  MASON  LIKES 
A WAGON-ROAD.  — THE  MOUTH  OF  THE  LOLO.  — THE  SOL- 
DIER’S CRITICISM.  — THIRTY-FOUR  MILES  IN  A DAY  WITH 
TREMBLING  HORSES.  — BITTER-ROOT  VALLEY.— THE  DOC- 
TOR. — ROSS’  HOLE.  — A SPY. 


TILL  pursuing  the  famous  Lolo  trail  by  the  rugged 


kJ  passes  of  the  mountains  between  Idaho  and  Montana, 
Sergeant  Sutherland  and  his  Indian  guide,  who,  at  even- 
ing, the  Gth  of  August,  left  us  at  the  hot  sulphur  springs, 
fifty  miles  from  the  town  of  Missoula,  found  no  easy 
task.  The  Indian  only  knew  the  country  generally,  and 
cared  little  about  the  character  of  his  pathway,  provided 
his  pony  held  out ; not  so  with  the  soldier.  He  liked, 
above  all  things,  a good,  strong,  active  horse,  one  that  he 
could  depend  upon.  And  he  was  not  quite  satisfied  to 
follow  faint  trails,  and  go  merely  by  the  stars.  Suther- 
land, however,  plodded  on  with  his  already  weary  horse, 
now  in  a dense  forest,  and  now  emerging,  in  the  starlight, 
into  a hill-country,  more  bare  of  trees.  For  a time  the 
trail  was  pretty  good,  occasionally  interrupted  by  the  fallen 
trees,  which  were  too  long  to  get  around,  and  too  tiresome 


SUTHERLAND'S  PROGRESS. 


187 


for  the  animals  to  stride  over.  Of  a sudden  he  came 
upon  a mountain  spur,  that  blocked  the  way.  The  path 
turned  to  the  right,  and  wound  along  a steep  acclivity, 
and  over  a knife-edge  crest.  By  dismounting,  and  slowly 
leading  the  animals,  the  sergeant  and  the  guide,  without 
slipping  off  the  shelving  rock  into  a deep  chasm  below, 
managed,  at  last,  to  creep  around  to  the  other  side.  One 
difficult  obstacle  like  this  was  overcome,  and  the  night 
wore  away.  When  the  dawn  appeared,  the  valley  of  the 
Lolo  had  opened  out  into  broader  proportions ; the  grass- 
fields  gave  sign  of  cultivation,  and  an  occasional  hut- 
showed  that,  at  some  time  not  far  back,  this  region  had 
been  inhabited ; still,  for  miles,  there  was  not  a domestic 
animal,  not  even  an  Indian  dog,  to  howl  back  defiance  to 
the  terrific  and  multitudinous  cries  of  the  coyotes. 

When  Lieutenant  Fletcher,  who  will  be  remembered 
as  the  officer  who  discovered  the  whereabouts  of  Joseph’s 
people  just  before  the  battle  of  the  Clearwater,  and  who 
was  still  supervising  the  engineering  work  of  the  cam- 
paign, and  who  has  since  issued  a series  of  beautiful 
maps,  and  multiplied  them,  by  the  photographic  methods, 
for  the  use  of  all  of  us,  — when  Fletcher,  with  Gibbon’s 
tall  messenger,  set  out  for  Missoula,  the  next  morning  at 
four  o’clock,  Sutherland  had  scarcely  traversed  twenty- 
five  miles.  The  lieutenant’s  stock  was  rested,  fed,  and 
fresh,  and  he  had  daylight,  so  that  he  gained  rapidly  on 
the  sergeant,  and  the  latter  was  but  a few  miles  ahead, 
when  Fletcher  and  his  companion  turned  away  from 
his  course,  northward,  down  the  Bitter-Root  Valley,  to- 
ward Missoula. 

The  Indian  guide  deserted  Sutherland  at  the  most  con- 


188 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


venient  point  and  time,  and  also  went  off  toward  Missoula. 
His  poor  horse  trembled  in  his  joints,  sweat  at  every  pore, 
and  had  his  sides,  near  the  sergeant’s  boot-heel,  stained 
with  blood  from  the  often  used,  though  reluctant,  spur, 
when  he  dragged  himself  into  the  yard  of  the  first  settler 
that  he  encountered  in  ascending  the  Bitter-Root  River. 

" Good-morning,  Mr.  A.” 

"Good-morning,  stranger,”  says  a jolly-looking  man, 
emerging  from  the  farm-house. 

" ’Pears  you’ve  had  a tough  ride,  by  the  look  of  ye’ 
horse?” 

" Yes  ; I’m  bearing  dispatches  from  General  Howard  to 
General  Gibbon.  I’ve  authority  to  get  a remount,  and  am 
told  you  have  some  horses.” 

" Oh,  yes,  yes,  stranger.  You’ll  have  to  go  right 
smart  to  catch  Gibbon,  for  he  streamed  it  with  his  men 
in  wagons.  He’s  got  three  days  the  start  on  ye  ! ” 

" Well,  well,  sir,  I’m  in  a hurry.  Will  you  let  me 
have  a horse?  The  quartermaster  will  settle.  I must 
have  one.” 

" I reckon  I can  ; not  tamed  much,  but  you  look  like  a 
spunky  feller.” 

A colt  is  soon  brought  forward. 

After  a little  food  and  coffee,  that  Mr.  A.  kindly  gave 
him,  the  sergeant  mounted.  Did  you  ever  see  an  Indian 
pony  " buck  ” ? 

Once  several  officers  of  us  were  quietly  taking  our 
lunch  when  a dozen  voices  at  once  screamed,  " The 
horse  ! The  horse  ! ” The  girth  had,  somehow,  been 
loosened,  and  the  horse,  a half-breed,  — i.  e.,  part  Indian 
and  part  American,  — began  to  gallop  in  circles,  now 


BUCKING  HORSE  DESCRIBED. 


189 


leaping  into  the  air,  and  now  shaking  himself  and  round- 
ing up  his  hack  like  a cat;  sometimes  going  one  way, 
and  then  reversing  and  tearing  oft’  in  another  direction. 
The  horse  made  for  us  at  first,  the  cries  giving  us  just 
time  to  keep  out  of  the  way.  He  continued  his  fury  un- 
abated, till  he  had  cleared  himself  of  his  pad,  blanket, 
and  saddle,  and  then  quieted  down,  and  looked  as  modest 
and  innocent  as  does  the  mule,  who,  often  thus  docile, 
watches  his  opportunity  to  revenge  himself  on  his  faithful 
packer  because  he  has  loaded  and  girt  him  too  tightly. 
With  this  " bucking  horse  ” picture  before  the  reader,  he 
can  easily  imagine  the  scene  when  Sergeant  Sutherland 
sprang  into  the  saddle,  and  undertook  to  proceed.  There 
was  first  a stiff  " I won’t  go  ! ” then  the  leaping,  jumping, 
shaking  process ; the  girt-band  gave  way,  and  the  rider, 
being  hurled  to  the  ground,  strained  his  back.  Still, 
after  a time,  he  managed  to  mount  again,  and  to  break 
in  his  pony,  so  as  to  proceed.  Though  in  considerable 
pain,  and  quite  lame,  he  got  over  much  ground  before 
night. 

Thus  our  messenger  has  gone  ahead,  followed  by  Lieu- 
tenant Fletcher,  who  had  turned  to  Missoula  for  supplies. 
The  latter  was  to  meet  us,  on  his  return,  with  the  neces- 
sary food  for  men  and  animals,  before  reaching  the  point 
where  we  were  to  turn  off  southward,  in  this  Bitter- 
Root  Valley,  in  order  to  follow  the  trails  of  Joseph  and 
Gibbon. 

To  return  to  my  cavalry  column : At  half-past  five, 
A.  M.,  Spurgin,  with  his  axemen,  was  already  out  on  the 
trail,  working  hard,  to  get  well  ahead  of  the  com- 
mand, so  that  it  might  make,  to-day,  the  utmost  distance 


190 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


over  this  terribly  rough  and  obstructed  pathway.  He 
cleared  away  the  fallen  trees,  made  bridges  across 
chasms,  and,  when  there  was  time,  by  side-digging,  or 
walling  with  fragments  of  the  rock,  he  improved  portions 
of  the  break-neck  trail. 

At  half-past  six,  a.  m.,  with  some  reluctance  leaving 
these  hot-springs  and  this  charming  camp,  we  set  out,  and 
made  twenty-two  miles.  If  this  is  considered  a short  dis- 
tance for  a forced  march,  it  should  be  remembered  that  it 
was  equal  to  forty  miles  on  a fair  roadway. 

We  had  just  heard  of  General  Sherman’s  proximity  to 
our  line  of  march,  and  of  his  intended  visit  to  the  Pacific 
coast.  Our  camp  was  so  good  a one,  and  so  fine  a wagon 
trail  here  began,  on  hard,  level  ground,  that,  coupling 
our  good  luck  with  Sherman’s  welcome  name,  we  desig- 
nated the  field  of  this  one  night’s  sojourn,  " Camp  Sher- 
man.” 

August  8.  Intent  on  reinforcing  Gibbon  our  two  hun- 
dred  cavalrymen  were  off  betimes,  just  as  the  sun  was 
peeping  over  the  ridge  ahead.  We  can  truly  say  we  en- 
joy the  march  oyer  this  excellent  road.  Both  men  and 
horses  Avere  more  cheerful.  By  nine,  a.  m.,  Ave  reached 
the  mouth  of  the  Lolo.  The  narrow  pass,  where  the 
temporary  fort  had  been  made  by  the  men  from  Missoula, 
and  Avhere  the  Indians  had  stopped  to  parley,  was  in- 
spected by  our  command.  And  as  the  excellent  barri- 
cades of  logs  appeared  in  our  front,  the  question  arose, 
" How  could  the  Indians  get  by?  ” All  eyes  Avere  turned 
to  the  high  hills  on  the  right  and  on  the  left. 

" Why  did  not  RaAvn  and  the  volunteers  stop  them 
here  ? ” " J oseph  was  too  smart  for  them  ! ” " Looking- 


THE  DOCTOR. 


191 


glass  is  always  a good  Indian  here,  in  the  Bitter-Root 
country.”  Such  were  remarks  that  I heard  from  one  and 
another  as  we  worked  our  way  crookedly  past  these  ob- 
structions in  this  famous  Lolo  pass.  At  the  mouth  of  the 
Lolo,  a tributary  of  the  Bitter-Root,  while  resting  and 
grazing  the  animals  for  a couple  of  hours,  Fletcher  came 
up  with  the  needed  supplies.  Then  on  we  went  across 
the  river,  which,  with  its  broad  and  beautiful  valley,  de- 
lighted the  eye,  passed  the  town  of  Stevensville,  and  kept 
on  till  seven  o’clock  in  the  evening.  Between  sun  and  sun, 
with  horses  which  had  hitherto  been  staggering  and  trem- 
bling on  the  stony  and  log  be-ridden  paths  of  the  moun- 
tains, we  had  accomplished  thirty-four  miles.  So  much 
for  a good  wagon-road. 

Soldiers  who  are  pressing  on  toward  an  expected  battle- 
field are  very  eager  for  news.  Ears  and  eyes  are  Avide 
open.  Every  sound  is  caught,  and  accounted  for.  Every 
man  met  is  stopped  and  questioned.  Every  unusual 
stir  of  cattle  and  horses,  in  the  distance,  is  searched  with 
eyes  of  the  longest  range,  and  with  glasses.  To-day,  the 
9th  of  August,  on  this  level,  hard,  wagon-road,  we 
tramped  along  the  Bitter-Root  Valley,  Avith  few  incidents 
to  break  the  quiet  of  the  column.  It  was  a fine  grazing 
country  on  our  right  and  left,  — plenty  of  stock.  The 
inhabitants  appeared  to  thrive  Avell  betAveen  Stevensville 
and  Corvallis,  the  next  village  above. 

As  the  cavalry  approached  Corvallis  we  met  a gentle- 
man in  a buggy.  Yes,  a covered  buggy  in  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  far  away  from  anywhere  ! It  Avas  the  doc- 
tor of  the  region.  Cautious,  careful  man ! We  did  not 
learn  from  him  that  citizens  had  kindly  remembered 


192 


NES  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


these  Indians  who  had  made,  through  their  country,  so 
many  parallel  paths,  — remembered  them  as  very  friendly 
and  profitable  traders,  as,  year  by  year,  they  had  come 
and  gone,  while  en  route  to  the  buffalo  illahee.  We 
do  not  draw  from  him  that  some  very  kind  neighbors 
carried  provisions  into  the  Indian’s  camp,  in  wagons,  and 
sold  them  for  money ; that  their  old  and  worn  horses  had 
been  traded  off  for  fresh  ones ; and  that  for  these  kind- 
nesses, and  this  show  of  fraternal  feeling,  the  entire 
valley  had  been  spared  by  the  placable  Joseph.  No ; 
these  facts  crept  out  from  other  sources.  The  doctor  told 
us  where,  and  when,  the  Indians  swept  by,  — over  yon- 
der, across  the  Bitter-Root,  next  to  the  mountain-shore, 
beyond  that  fringe  of  cottonwood ; also  when  General 
Gibbon  rapidly  followed.  " He  must  be  at ' Ross’  Hole  ’ 
by  this  time.”  " Ross’  Hole  ! ” Strange  name.  It  is 
some  kind  of  crater  in  these  highlands,  we  think,  or 
short  canyon,  too  deep  for  the  ordinary  name.  We 
shall  see. 

Soon  are  met  citizens  on  horseback,  and  some  in  wag- 
ons. They  had  started  to  catch  the  Indians,  but  travel- 
ling two  days  at  ten  or  fifteen  miles  a clay  did  not  suit 
them.  Their  saloons,  their  stores,  their  farms,  were 
needing  their  constant  care,  " The  Indians  are  already 
well  out  of  the  way ; can  run  as  fast,  or  faster,  than  we 
can  follow  ; so  that  we  came  back.” 

Why  shouldn’t  they  ? These  citizens  were  not  employed 
as  soldiers,  and  the  danger  to  them  and  their  families 
was  past. 

No  reliable  news  can  be  gained  from  these  returning 
citizens. 


A SPT. 


193 


A crowd  watched  for  our  cavalcade  at  Corvallis.  It  was 
composed  of  men  and  boys,  roughly  clad,  with  here  and 
there  a sprinkling  of  the  brighter  colors  of  female  dress, 
and  a few  hatless  Indians,  standing  listlessly  with  their 
red  blankets  wrapped  around  them.  One  such,  a young 
Indian,  sat  quietly  upon  the  llattish  roof  of  an  old  shed, 
near  the  outskirts  of  the  town.  He  appeared  like  the 
rest.  "Who  are  these  Indians?”  A most  respectable- 
looking  trader  vouches  for  them.  " They  are  all  friendly 
Flat-heads  ! ” 

As  soon  as  the  command  was  well  out  of  the  way,  be- 
yond the  town,  this  Indian,  who  was  mounted  on  the  roof, 
slid  easily  to  the  eaves,  sprang  to  the  ground,  mounted  a 
Cayuse  pony,  standing  near  by,  and  made  straight  east- 
ward. He  reached  the  foot-hills  of  the  eastern  range  of 
mountains,  which,  in  that  direction,  wall  up  the  Bitter- 
Root  Valley,  almost  before  he  was  suspected.  Several 
young  men  gave  chase,  but  could  not  find  him.  He  sped 
away  to  the  mountains,  and  then  turned  south,  toward 
Joseph’s  trail.  He  was  a spy.  As  successful  spies  no 
men  can  excel  these  Indians,  and  none  was  swifter  than 
this  spy-messenger,  and  none  ever  did  greater  service  to 
his  chief.  His  power  of  endurance  was  wonderful.  The 
distance  was,  probably,  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  by 
the  route  he  took  to  enable  him  to  overtake  his  people. 
Through  the  forests,  over  the  mountains,  across  the 
stretches  of  prairie,  the  Cayuse  never  ceased  to  trot  or 
canter  till  thoroughly  exhausted ; his  legs  bruised  and 
bleeding,  wet  with  foam,  the  trembling,  staggering  animal 
stumbled  and  fell.  No  coaxing,  no  whipping  and  kicking 
will  restore  his  courage.  So  the  spy,  having  slipped  off 


194 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


the  saddle  and  bridle,  and  " cached  ” them  close  at  hand, 
took  careful  observation  of  the  place  of  concealment. 
Then  he  stalked  away  at  a swift,  steady  walk  till  he  had 
gained  Gibbon’s  trail  over  the  Rocky  Mountain  range. 
It  was  a real  range  at  this  crossing ; not  so  very  high, 
but  plain  to  be  seen  and  felt  as  you  ascended  from 
the  west. 


CAMP  JOHN  GIBBON. 


195 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

JOSEPH  AND  THE  PURSUIT.  — MANNER  OF  MARCHING.  — THE 
OAKS.  — CAMP  JOHN  GIBBON.  — LIEUTENANT  BACON.  — CHIEF 
ROBBINS.  — THE  ESCORT.  — A TROT  ALL  DAY.  — NAME  “ROSS’ 
HOLE  •’  ACCOUNTED  FOR.  — DAY’S  JOURNEY  53  MILES.  — AS- 
CENDING THE  ROCKY  MOUNTAINS.  — SCOUTS  RETURNING 
WITH  SEVEN  CITIZENS.  — FIRST  NEWS  OF  GIBBON’S  FIGHT.— 
HOW  THE  CAMP  WAS  FIXED.  — BONNY’S  RETURN  RIDE. — 
THE  SPY.  — SUTHERLAND  AGAIN.  — GIBBON  WOUNDED. 

TURNING  from  the  dismounted  Indian  spy  to  our  com- 
mand, we  find  them  still  wearily  working  their  way 
through  the  mountains.  It  is  wonderful  how  much  dis- 
tance can  be  made  in  a day  by  a steady  pace.  Walk  your 
horses  as  fast  as  you  can,  keeping  them  together,  the 
men  chat  with  one  another,  and  rest  themselves  occasion- 
ally by  a puff  or  two  from  short  clay  pipes.  At  the  end 
of  fifty  minutes,  call  the  halt,  dismount,  and  if  there 
should  happen  to  be  short  intervals,  do  not  close  them. 
Rest  just  ten  minutes.  Then  mount  and  go  on  again,  for 
another  fifty  minutes.  After  just  ten  minutes’  halt,  pro- 
ceed as  before. 

Where,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  Bitter-Root  Valley, 
the  mountains  appeared  to  be  shut  in,  and  it  seemed  no 
longer  possible  to  move  southward  without  climbing,  was 
a broad,  level  space,  covered  with  trees,  not  altogether 
the  usual  cottonwood,  but  mostly  fair-sized  oaks.  Our 
camp  (August  9)  was  chosen  close  by  the  one  lately 
occupied  by  General  Gibbon,  so  we  named  it  " Camp 


196 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


John  Gibbon.”  It  was  a fine  camp ; the  swift  water, 
with  its  lively  mountain  impulse  still  in  it,  shot  over 
bowlders  in  the  shallow  river  bed ; and  a greensward 
strewn  with  the  changing  autumn  leaves,  that  had  begun 
to  fall,  invited  weary  men  and  horses  to  a pleasant  night’s 
refreshment. 

I had  become  so  anxious  about  Gibbon,  with  his  small 
force,  that  I resolved  to  pick  twenty  of  our  best  horses, 
with  their  well-seasoned  riders,  put  them  under  Lieuten- 
ant Bacon,  a tall,  well-built  man,  of  light  hair  and  light- 
grayish  eyes,  slow  of  speech,  but  always  clear-headed 
and  brave,  add  seventeen  scouts,  under  Chief  Robbins ; 
take  also  Lieutenant  Wood,  and  the  quartermaster’s  active 
clerk,  Mr.  Bonny,  with  me,  and  ride  as  fast  and  as  far  in 
search  of  Gibbon  as  the  animals  would  carry  us.  Mason 
remained  in  charge  of  the  remainder  of  the  cavalry,  to 
follow  as  rapidly  as  possible.  In  the  cool,  clear  morning, 
just  as  the  dawn  appeared,  in  a column  of  twos,  we 
moved  out  of  camp ; took  a steady,  firm  trot,  and,  ex- 
cept in  a few  instances  where  the  roughness  of  the  trail 
prevented  speed,  kept  at  that  gait  all  day.  We  rested  at 
mid-day  for  one  hour,  after  passing  the  famous  "Ross’ 
Hole.”  Our  northern  people  would  call  it  broad  swamp 
land,  hemmed  in  by  hills  ; the  Mexicans  would  name  it  a 
"cienaga;”  the  frontiersmen  say,  "Hole.”  It  is  dry 
now,  but  doubtless  when  Ross  and  his  party  of  emigrants 
went  this  way,  their  wagons  and  horses  mired,  and  they 
indignantly  named  the  cienaga,  or  swamp,  a horrid  hole, 
and  in  time,  by  the  proper  reduction  of  history,  we  have 
"Ross’  hole.” 

We  could  not  trot  up  the  mountain  ridge ; it  was  as 


FIRST  NEWS  OF  GIBBON’S  FIGHT. 


197 


much  as  we  could  do  to  walk.  Horses  and  men  toiled  up 
the  winding  ascent.  There  were  many  paths.  Every 
new  climber  tried  to  find  an  easier  way.  But  if  you  took 
the  left,  through  the  close  trees  and  thick  underbrush, 
you  wished  you  had  taken  the  right,  or  another,  between 
the  two.  There  was  no  dodging  that  abrupt  six  miles  of 
mountain-climbing.  Only  fifty-three  miles,  as  we  came 
to  this  nice  stream,  and  broad,  glade-like  opening  ! We 
were  already  in  the  canyon  that  marks  the  eastern  slope, 
and  we  wondered  whether  or  not  this  Trail  Creek  sent 
its  waters  into  the  far-off  Atlantic. 

Having  halted  at  dark,  Bobbins  and  some  scouts  re- 
turned at  a trot,  with  seven  citizens  on  foot.  You  do  not 
often  see  this  sight  — citizens  dismounted  on  a frontier 
road  ! In  fact,  you  do  not  often  see  any  human  being  in 
these  mountains. 

"Well,  my  men,  what  have  you  to  tell  us?”  One  of 
them  replied,  " General  Gibbon  had  a fight  with  the  In- 
dians yesterday  morning ; has  lost  half  his  men.  It  was 
going  hard  with  him  when  we  left.  We  haven’t  had  any- 
thing to  eat  for  two  days.”  So  we  invited  them  to  our 
intended  camp,  and  fed  them.  General  Gibbon  and  the 
Indians  were  not  twenty  miles  from  us.  As  these  citi- 
zens talked  much  as  men  are  apt  to  do  who  early  in  the 
conflict  run  from  the  field  of  battle,  it  is  not  fair  to  the 
gallant  soldiers  who  remain  and  fight  it  out  to  give  their 
story  too  much  weight.  Our  horses  were  too  much  ex- 
hausted to  move  another  league  that  night  (that  10th  of 
August).  We  were  so  near  the  enemy,  — just  how  near 
we  did  not  know,  — and  there  were  so  few  of  us,  that  we 
barricaded  a little  with  logs,  and  built  fires,  to  make  it 


198 


NEZ  PEKCE  JOSEPH. 


appear  that  we  had  many  troops.  Mr.  Bonny  was  started 
back  to  Mason  at  once  with  the  news.  How  could  he  get 
his  horse  through  thirty  miles  more,  back  beyond  Boss’ 
Hole? 

A short  time  ago  we  saw  the  Indian  spy  in  swift  mo- 
tion across  the  rocky  range,  first  on  horseback,  and  then 
on  foot.  He  had  come  into  the  wagon-roacl  just  ahead  of 
my  brilliant  camp,  wherein  we  forty  pretended  to  be  five 
hundred.  Our  scouts  found  his  plain  moccasin  tracks, 
and  hence  we  felt  sure  that  Joseph  had  already  received 
timely  warning.  The  spy  doubtless  took  a good  look 
at  our  camp-fires,  and  then  pressed  on.  We  shall  see 
what  was  the  probable  result  of  his  message. 

The  seven  countrymen  who  dropped  in  upon  us  the 
night  before  were  a sorry-looking  set.  They  gave  us  a 
graphic  account  of  the  fight ; of  their  own  part  in  it ; their 
progress,  their  escape.  One  had  had  a brother  desper- 
ately wounded.  The  troops  had  done  nobly,  but  were 
fearfully  outnumbered.  General  Gibbon  had  shown 
wonderful  gallantry,  and,  with  many  others,  was  severely 
wounded. 

They  enumerated  those  who  had  been  killed  in  the 
battle ; but,  even  after  they  had  been  comforted  by  a 
night’s  rest,  and  a warm  breakfast,  they  gave  us  but 
gloomy  views  of  the  final  situation  at  the  time  they  them- 
selves, for  dear  life,  were  making  their  escape  to  the 
brush.  Now,  no  offer  of  favor  or  money,  not  even  the 
attraction  of  a brother  wounded  and  needy,  could  induce 
one  of  those  brave  men  to  go  back,  and  guide  us  to  the 
battle-field. 

While  we  were  making  our  forced  march,  and  taking 
the  needed  rest,  others  had  not  been  idle. 


MESSAGE  FROM  GIBBON. 


199 


Gibbon’s  messenger  had  passed  near  us  in  the  early 
morning  of  the  10th.  There  was  a part  of  the  distance, 
just  before  that  Ross’  cienaga,  where  there  were  two  roads. 
The  messenger  was  galloping  along  the  left,  while  we 
were  trotting  over  the  right  track.  The  high  ground  be- 
tween prevented  us  from  seeing  this  horseman,  and  him 
from  seeing  our  cavalcade.  It  was  too  bad  ; tor  just  the 
sight  of  him  would  have  saved  the  brisk  Mr.  Bonny  from 
the  night  ride  of  thirty  miles,  the  poor  horse  under  him 
being  even  more  to  be  pitied  than  the  man.  The  official 
dispatch  which  General  Gibbon’s  messenger  was  bearing 
made  matters  appear  very  serious.  The  message,  written 
in  pencil,  on  a square  piece  of  paper,  of  the  size  of  a 
visiting  card,  reads : 

General:  We  surprised  the  Nez  Perce  camp  at  daylight  this 
morning,  whipped  them  out  of  it,  killing  a considerable  number; 
but  they  then  turned  on  us,  forced  us  out  of  it,  and  compelled  us  to 
take  the  defensive.  We  are  here  near  the  mouth  of  Big  Hole  pass, 
with  a number  of  wounded,  and  need  medical  attendance  and  assist- 
ance of  all  kinds,  and  hope  you  will  hurry  to  our  relief. 

Gibbon,  Comm’d’g. 

Aug.  9,  77. 

The  swift  messenger,  though  he  passed  me,  met  Mason, 
with  the  cavalry,  and  the  medical  officers,  who  were  so 
much  required.  These  tidings  put  them  into  swifter 
motion,  and  the  news  was  sent  flying  to  the  infantry, 
which  was  one  day’s  march  behind  the  cavalry. 

How  messengers  do  speed,  with  news  from  the  battle- 
field! From  the  days  of  old  Ely,  waiting  at  the  city 
gate,  till  now,  messengers  from  the  bloody  field  run  and 
outrun  each  other,  with  tidings  both  good  and  bad. 

Strange  as  it  may  seem,  another  messenger  passed  my 


200 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


little  troop  without  seeing  us,  and  Mason,  now  pushing 
forward,  first  received  him.  This  man  brought  a note 
from  the  sergeant,  who,  we  remember,  was  deserted  by 
the  Indian  guide,  and  nearly  killed  by  the  " bucking- 
horse,”  and  yet,  with  his  aching  back,  kept  in  the  saddle. 
The  note  is  so  good,  and  it  is  so  seldom  that  readers  hear 
from  an  enlisted  man,  that  I will  insert  a few  extracts  : 

On  the  Big  Hole  Trail,  about  20  miles  from  Ross’  Hole,  > 

12  M.,  Aug.  9,  77.  S 

General  : I arrived  here  cn  route  to  General  Gibbon’s  command 
ten  minutes  ago.  I find  the  train  of  General  Gibbon  in  camp,  with 
a guard  of  about  eighteen  men,  citizens  and  soldiers.  General  Gib- 
bon left  here  last  night,  with  a force  of  (say)  one  hundred  and  eighty 
men,  and  has  been  fighting  all  day,  but  his  exact  whereabouts  not 
known  to  party  here. 

In  conformity  with  orders  from  General  Gibbon  a party  of  three 
non-commissioned  officers,  and  seven  privates,  started  from  here  at 
daybreak,  (with  a 12-pounder  mountain  howitzer,  and  ammuni- 
tion,) and  were  attacked  about  three  and  a half  miles  out;  one  cor- 
poral killed,  two  sergeants  wounded,  and  two  men  missing.  How- 
itzer lost,  with  fifteen  rounds  of  ammunition;  also  two  thousand 
rounds  calibre  .45 ; pack-mule  killed.  As  near  as  I can  learn,  the 
sergeant  in  charge  scattered  and  destroyed  the  ammunition  for  how- 
itzer; fired  three  rounds  at  Indians.  It  appears,  from  the  attack, 
that  Indians  are  between  General  Gibbon  and  this  camp.  I find  the 
men  here  somewhat  uneasy,  but  determined  to  stand  off  the  Indians, 
at  all  hazards.  I take  two  men  from  here,  and  start  in  five  minutes, 
to  endeavor  to  reach  General  Gibbon 

Would  respectfully  state,  in  explanation  of  seeming  delay  on  my 

part,  that  I was  thrown  from  an  unbroken  horse  at , and  my 

back  severely  hurt,  my  progress  from  that  point  being  attended  with 
severe  suffering.  I am,  General, 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

O.  Sutherland, 

Sergeant  Company  “ B,”  1st  Cavalry. 

I am  glad  to  preserve  this  brief  record  of  a brave  and 
deserving  man. 


ARRIVE  AT  GIBBON'S  CAMP. 


201 


On  the  margin  of  my  note-book  is  written,  "1877, 
August  11.  Saturday; ” "Clear  and  cool.”  Think  of  it, 
just  over  the  highest  ridge  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  " We 
sent  our  Indian  scouts  ahead  at  4,  a.  m.,  and  proceeded 
about  eighteen  miles,  by  a trail  through  thick  woods  and 
underbrush,  — good  ambuscades.”  It  means  excellent 
places  for  traps,  such  as  the  Indians  sometimes  set,  — 
traps  like  that  set  for  General  Braddock  and  Colonel 
George  Washington,  before  we  became  a republic.  "We 
arrived  at  Gibbon’s  fortified  camp  at  10,  a.  m.,  and  found 
the  command  all  right,  and  cheerful.  The  Indians  had 
left  at  11  o’clock,  night  before.  Gibbon’s  final  position 
was  on  a wooded  ridge,  ■with  heights  above  it,  and  willow 
bottom,  a creek,  and  table-land  below  it.  He  had  no 
surgeon  with  him.  The  wounded  were  doing  well,  how- 
ever. Gibbon’s  wound  was  a flesh  wound,  above  the 
knee.  Sent  courier  to  Deer  Lodge  with  telegraphic  dis- 
patches to  Terry  and  McDowell.”  The  above  is  explicit 
enough,  and  suggestive,  to  those  of  us  who  were  ever  on 
the  ground ; but  as  this  Indian  engagement  of  General 
John  Gibbon  has,  from  various  sources,  gone  into  history, 
I will,  in  the  following  chapter,  give  the  stoi'y  substan- 
tially as  I had  it  from  his  own  lips. 


202 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

JOSEPH  AND  THE  BATTLE  OF  BIG-HOLE.  — THE  APPROACH  OF 
ESCORT  TO  GIBBON’S  CAMP  DESCRIBED.  — ARE  THEY  IN- 
DIANS ? — ARE  THEY  SOLDIERS’  HORSES  GRAZING  ? — SOL- 
DIERS BATHING.  — GIBBON’S  CAMP.  — THE  HOSPITAL  AP- 
PEARANCE. — INDIANS  SLIP  OFF  IN  THE  NIGHT. — BATTLE- 
FIELD DESCRIBED.  — WOMEN  IN  THE  STREAM  ASKING  FOR 
PROTECTION.  — GIBBON’S  STORY. 

BEHOLD  our  cavalcade  of  forty  riders,  with  Indian 
scouts  ahead,  as  they  descend  the  Rocky  Mountain 
trail ! Chief  Robbins  sees  the  smoke  of  a camp,  and 
animals  grazing  down  there  in  the  Big-Hole  bottom. 
The  Indian  scouts,  with  Robbins,  had  stopped  on  a bare 
knoll,  to  the  left  of  the  road,  and,  from  their  manner 
and  gestures,  appeared  to  he  excited,  till  I came  up. 

" What  is  it?  Are  they  our  men  yonder?” 

" They  are  soldiers,  going  from  the  smoke  there,  under 
that  hill,  hack  and  forth  to  the  creek.” 

I knew,  at  once,  that  they  were  soldiers.  It  was  a 
party  bathing  in  the  stream  ; some  dressing,  some  sitting 
on  the  bank,  and  others  moving  about,  wading  in  the 
shallow  water.  I had  hardly  said  " They  are  soldiers  ! ” 
before  our  horses  were  in  brisk  motion  toward  the  smoke 
that  was  rolling  up  from  the  short  pines,  just  to  the  left 
of  the  thick  willows,  which,  from  the  smoke  to  the  high 


gibbon’s  camp. 


203 


ground  beyond  the  creek,  appeared  completely  to  cover 
the  broad  bottom-land. 

We  passed  rapidly  along  the  trail,  around  another 
bluff,  when  the  little  camp  came  full  in  view.  " There 
it  is  ! ” " It  is  Gibbon’s  camp  ! ” A thrill  of  delight 

passed  through  our  little  party,  and  it  found  a voice. 

" Hurrah  ! hurrah  ! ” It  did  look  like  a hospital  at 
first,  though  there  were  lines  of  rifle-pits,  and  well  sol- 
diers enough  to  give  one  the  impression  of  a heavy  hos- 
pital guard.  So  many  wounded  ; nearly  half  lying  cheer- 
ful, though  not  able  to  move ; many  white  bandages 
about  the  head  and  face ; some  arms  in  slings ; there 
were  roughly  constructed  shelters  from  the  heat  of  an 
unrelenting  August  sun.  Quite  on  the  other  side,  in  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  camp,  reclined  the  wounded  com- 
mander. His  face  was  very  bright,  and  his  voice  had  a 
cheery  ring  as  he  called  out, 

" Hallo,  Howard  ! Glad  to  see  you.” 

"Well,  Gibbon,  how  do  you  do?” 

" Oh,  I’m  not  much  hurt;  a flesh-wound  in  the  thigh.” 

After  a short  time  I asked  : " Where  are  the  Indians  ? ” 

" They  drew  off  at  eleven  o’clock,  last  night,”  Gibbon 
said.  "You'll  dine  with  me?  ” 

" How  can  I?  You’ve  no  supplies.” 

" Oh,  that  was  a mistake  ; we  have  bread,  and  to  spare.” 

" Where  was  the  field,”  I asked.  Then  he  pointed  out 
to  me  the  Ground. 

We  were  standing  on  the  north  side  of  the  valley. 
The  willows,  with  grassy  spaces  between  them,  came 
next  to  us,  below  the  bluff.  Across  the  level  willow- 
lancl,  rough  and  spongy  in  places,  with  a few  water- 


204 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


holes,  for,  perhaps,  three  hundred  yards,  you  approached 
the  main  " Big-Hole  ” Creek.  It  was  twenty  or  thirty 
steps  across  it.  Then  there  was  an  open  grassy  bottom, 
that  now  looked  as  if  it  had  been  mowed.  There  was  a 
strip  of  this  grass-land,  from  fifty  to  seventy  yards  across, 
before  you  touched  the  foot  of  the  high  ground,  constitut- 
ing the  other  shore  of  the  valley.  It  was  on  this  grassy 
bottom  that  Joseph  had  pitched  his  lodges,  before  the 
battle.  Behind  us  the  hilly  hither  shore  rose  rapidly  into 
a mountain.  Farther  down,  on  our  side,  was  a spur  of 
the  mountain,  open  and  covered  with  grass,  where  Jo- 
seph’s herd  was  feeding  when  Gibbon’s  men  first  ap- 
proached ; and  a big  herd  it  was.  To  our  right,  up 
the  creek,  the  mountain  was  of  easier  ascent,  and, 
though  covered  with  pines,  it  was  only  at  intervals,  so 
that  the  enemy  had  a plunging  fire,  from  two  or  three 
picket  posts,  straight  into  Gibbon’s  camp.  After  the 
General  and  his  generous  staff  had  refreshed  us  with 
a dinner  good  enough  for  a soldier,  he  proposed  to 
ride  over,  show  us  the  battle-field  proper,  and  explain 
the  situation. 

"But  you  cannnot  ride,  Gibbon?” 

" I think  I can.  I’ll  try,  at  any  rate.” 

So,  with  some  pain,  he  mounted.  We  rode  to  the 
place,  where  many  lodge-poles  were  lying.  We  found, 
just  under  the  river  bank,  a part  of  the  Indians  unburied, 
and  fresh  marks  of  the  hasty  burial  of  others.  He 
pointed  to  where  women,  during  the  battle,  with  their 
little  ones  in  their  arms,  had  waded  into  the  deep  water 
to  avoid  the  firing  ; and  told  me  how  it  touched  his  heart 
when  two  or  three  extended  their  babies  toward  him,  and 


gibbon’s  story. 


205 


looked  as  pleasant  and  wistful  as  they  could  for  his  pro- 
tection ; this  was  while  the  halls  where  whistling  through 
the  willows  near  by. 

Now,  my  reader,  if  you  should  take  up  your  skilful 
pencil,  I think  you  could  picture  that  touching  scene, 
and  would  sadly  ask  the  question,  " Is  there  no  substitute 
for  war  ? ” 

Let  General  Gibbon  tell  the  story  after  his  return  to 
camp ; for  he  is  too  lame  and  sore  to  dismount  on  the 
field,  or  to  stay  long  enough  to  satisfy  my  curiosity. 
The  excellent  Doctor  Fitzgerald,  and  his  assistants,  had 
arrived.  The  wounded  were  already  attended  to.  The 
messages  had  been  sent  to  the  outer  world,  and  the  plans 
for  further  pursuit  were  agreed  upon.  The  General  re- 
clined under  his  bush  cover,  favoring  the  sore  leg  as 
much  as  he  could.  I took  a camp-chair,  also  within  the 
homely  bower,  while  our  respective  staff  officials,  group- 
ing themselves  at  hand,  sat,  half  knelt,  or  squatted,  upon 
the  ground,  attentive. 

"You  know,  Howard,  when  the  Nez  Perces  had 
avoided  Pawn,  with  his  small  force,  there  in  the  Lolo, 
they  ascended  the  Bitter-Root.  At  first  they  travelled 
slowly  enough,  delaying  to  trade  with  the  inhabitants. 
"Wasn’t  it  a shame  in  those  Bitter-Root  people  to  traffic 
with  the  horrid  murderers,  giving  them  fresh  horses,  and 
all  sorts  of  provisions,  as  readily  as  if  they  had  been  the 
best  friends  in  the  world?  I am  glad  to  say  that  one 
man  had  courage  enough  to  shut  his  store  in  their  faces. 
[Gibbon  mentions  him  in  his  report.  His  name  is  Young, 
of  Corvallis.]  I set  out  with  a little  short  of  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  rifles,  on  the  fourth,  [August,  1877,]  from 


206 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


Missoula,  using  wagons,  to  make  all  the  distance  possi- 
ble. I don’t  think  we  could  have  got  through  to  this 
place  if  I hadn’t  been  most  lucky  in  running  across  Mr. 
Blodget,  a frontiersman,  who  had  piloted  wagons  over 
this  country  before.  The  packs  were  on  hand,  if  we  had 
failed  with  the  Avagon  train.  Wasn’t  it  a rough  road, 
though?  It  took  us  a long  time  to  get  over  the  divides, 
hut  in  the  bottoms  Ave  made  grand  time. 

"We  ran  across  a number  of  the  Indians’  camps,  and 
they  made  some  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  a day  ; so  that,  by 
doubling  on  them,  I knew  I would,  in  time,  catch  up. 
But  we  were  delayed,  beyond  measure,  at  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  Our  men  had  to  draw  the  Avagons  up  with 
ropes.  It  took  us  hours  to  get  to  the  top.  Well,  we 
accomplished  it,  and  Avorked  our  Avay  down  this  slope, 
into  Big  Hole  ; rested  a while  ; then  leaving  a small  de- 
tachment, three  or  four  miles  back,  Avith  the  hoAvitzer, 
where  you  saAv  the  camp,  Avith  the  remainder  I came  on, 
sloAvly  and  silently,  under  cover  of  the  night.  We  heard 
the  sound  of  Indian  ponies  on  the  next  spur,  over  there, 
to  my  left.  Pushing  along  quietly  betAveen  them  and  the 
bottom,  Ave  at  last  discovered  the  Indian  lodges. 

" Here  I halted  my  command,  for  it  Avas  altogether  too 
dark  to  move  to  the  attack.  We  could  catch  sounds  from 
the  tepees  ; occasionally  a dog  Avould  bark,  or  a child  cry, 
but,  evidently,  our  presence  was  not  discovered. 

" On  the  edge  of  the  bottom  I deployed  my  companies 
into  line,  putting  the  citizens  on  the  left,  for  quite  a 
number  of  them  had  volunteered  to  come  on  and  help 
us.  You  notice  the  big  sloughs  there  beside  the  creek. 
The  willoAvs  are  thicker  in  spots.  The  command  now 


gibbon’s  story. 


207 


moved  forward  rapidly.  But  the  Indians  discovered  the 
attack  as  soon  as  we  had  started,  and  several  of  them  put 
themselves  across  this  creek,  into  that  bend,  and,  using 
the  bank  as  a cover,  opened  lire.  Some  of  our  men 
swept  past  these,  and  through  the  tepees,  driving  the  In- 
dians before  them. 

"At  first  we  had  passed  the  low  ground,  and  had  taken 
the  camp,  and  appeared  to  have  carried  everything ; but 
I soon  found  that  the  Indians  had  not  given  up.  Some 
were  in  the  willows,  working  as  skirmishers.  Some  ral- 
lied up  yonder  on  that  hill,  and  started  across  the  bottom 
to  retake  their  herd,  while  others  got  behind  trees  and 
rocks,  and  were  picking  ofl*  our  men,  one  by  one,  and 
you  know  we  couldn’t  well  spare  any ; some  of  my 
officers  were  wounded  already,  and  myself  among  the 
number. 

"At  last  I ordered  the  move  back  to  this  side,  and  we 
took  this  wooded  point.  Here  we  wTere  a good  deal  ex- 
posed to  the  sharpshooters,  and  several  officers  were 
wounded ; but  we  drove  them  back,  defeated  every  at- 
tempt to  assault  our  camp,  and  inflicted  great  loss  upon 
the  Indians.  Of  course  they  yelled,  crept  up  close  at 
times,  fired,  and  set  the  grass  on  fire ; but  all  that  time 
we  were  digging  those  trenches,  and  barricading,  and 
giving  to  the  hostiles  as  good  as  they  sent. 

"Next  day,  until  night,  parties  of  them  were  lurking 
about,  between  me  and  my  train.  The  attempt  to  fetch 
up  the  howitzer  brought  on  a severe  skirmish,  and  the 
howitzer  was  lost ; but  that  night  (evening  of  the  10th) 
the  last  of  them  gave  us  a sharp  volley,  about  eleven 


208 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


o’clock,  and  cleared  out.  And  here  you  find  us,  some 
killed,  many  wounded,  but  in  no  way  discouraged.  It 
Avas  a gallant  struggle.  Who  could  have  believed  that 
those  Indians  AA’ould  have  rallied  after  such  a surprise,  and 
made  such  a fight  ? ” 


THE  KILLED  AND  WOUNDED. 


209 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 


-JOSEPH  AND  THE  PURSUIT.  — THE  KILLED  AND  WOUNDED.— 
LOYALTY  TO  DUTY.  — LOVE  OF  WAR.  — BURIAL  OF  THE 
ENEMY’S  DEAD.  — BANNOCK  OUTRAGES.  — THE  SUNDAY 
WORK. — THE  TWO  NEZ  PERCE  HERDERS.  — THE  MARCH 
RESUMED.— JOSEPH’S  STRATEGY.  — OLD  CAPTAIN  JOHN. — 
THE  WOUNDED  IN  ROUGH  WAGONS.  — BANNOCK  CITY. — 
HORSE  PRAIRIE.  — SUCCESSFUL  STEALING  OF  HORSES.  — 
TAUNTS.  — COLONEL  SHOUP  AND  TEN-DOG’S  INDIANS.  - 
CAPTAIN  NORWOOD.  — THE  CORINNE  ROAD.  — CALLOWAY’S 
VOLUNTEERS. 

HE  engagement,  the  outlines  of  which  I have  hereto- 


.L  fore  given,  was  a bloody  one  indeed,  whether  viewed 
from  our  own  or  the  Indian  side.  " Captain  William 
Logan,  killed  ! ” It  is  a short  notice.  Strangers  are  not 
much  interested.  "War  is  his  business,  general.”  He 
takes  his  chances.  A brief  biography;  a two  days’  no- 
tice ; the  regular  army  record ! But  I am  not  satisfied 
with  this.  Heroic  devotion  to  duty  in  Indian  warfare 
saves  lives  by  interposing  one’s  own.  Let  the  reader 
write  the  name  of  William  Logan  on  the  tablets  of  his 
memory,  and  think  again  of  those  that  loved  him,  and 
have  ever  since  suffered  on  account  of  his  loss. 

Again,  Lieutenant  James  H.  Bradley  fell  in  action,  to 
rise  no  more.  You  do  not  know  his  face?  His  photo- 
graph is  not  known  to  the  reader ! Never  mind.  He 
was  a manly  man.  As  Mr.  Lincoln,  looking  over  those 


14 


210 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


silent  graves  at  Gettysburg,  said,  " They  gave  here  the 
last  full  measure  of  devotion.”  So  with  Bradley ; in 
order  to  punish  guilt,  to  secure  peace,  and  serve  faith- 
fully his  country,  he  gave  the  full  measure,  — his  life. 

Lieutenant  William  H.  English  was  wounded  severely. 
All  hoped  that  he  might  recover,  but  he  did  not.  He 
lingered  for  several  days,  but  before  the  campaign  was 
over  the  news  of  his  death  came  to  us.  Several  other 
officers  were  wounded,  some  being  hit  two  or  three  times. 
I do  not  name  them  in  this  narration  lest  I extend  too 
much,  though  I feel  toward  them  a strong  desire  to  honor 
their  service  in  some  practicable  way. 

There  were  twenty-six  others,  soldiers  and  citizens, 
who  laid  their  bodies  away  in  this  place  of  sepulture. 
Their  names  are  not  before  us ; but,  thank  a kind  Provi- 
dence, comrades  talk  of  .them,  and  somebody  keeps  a 
place  of  love  fresh  and  warm  in  remembrance  of  them. 

"What  does  this  matter  to  them?”  We  may  ask,  in 
reply,  what  does  anything  matter?  The  honor  of  a nation 
is  precious.  That  honor  is  impossible  except  through 
the  loyalty  and  devotion  of  her  sons.  When  Phillips,  of 
Minnesota,  was  killed  by  robbers  because  he  would  not 
surrender  the  key  to  the  safe  which  contained  his  trust 
money,  he  did  not  die  for  money,  but  for  honor.  Logan, 
Bradley,  English,  and  the  twenty-six  other  men  who  fell 
at  Big  Hole,  Montana,  died  for  duty,  for  the  honor  and 
faith  in  them  and  in  us,  which,  aggregated,  make  up  the 
honor  and  faith  of  a nation. 

Look  on  the  other  side.  See  these  women’s  bodies 
disinterred  by  our  own  ferocious  Bannock  scouts  ! See 
how  they  pierce  and  dishonor  their  poor,  harmless  forms, 


THE  TWO  NEZ  PEKCE  HERDERS. 


211 


and  carry  off  tlieir  scalps  ! Our  officers  sadly  look  upon 
the  scene,  and  then,  as  by  a common  impulse,  deepen 
their  beds,  and  cover  them  with  earth.  Poor  Jack  Carle- 
ton  hardly  dared  own  his  motive  for  his  hard  work  in  the 
burying  of  so  many  people,  with  poor  instruments,  and 
too  little  help.  "Oh,  general,”  he  says,  "let  us  bury 
them;  the  settlers  on  the  Big  Hole  below  will  desert 
their  ranches  if  we  leave  ’em  here.” 

"But,”  says  one,  "aren’t  you  disgusted  with  war  when 
you  walk  thoughtfully  over  the  bloody  field,  after  the 
battle?”  Yes,  yes,  deeply  disgusted,  horror-stricken; 
but  it  is  the  same  with  railway  accidents,  and  with  fire 
and  pestilence.  Indian  warfare  is  horrid ; but  Indian 
massacres,  outrages,  and  brutality,  and  Indian  rule,  which 
is  war,  are  a thousand  times  worse. 

Some  such  thoughts  passed  through  my  mind  while  we 
waited  for  the  troops.  It  was  Sunday  (the  12th  of  Au- 
gust) that  the  different  groups  of  bodies  were  counted 
and  buried,  or  reburied.  We  had  two  Ncz  Perce  scouts, 
or  herders,  drawn  from  the  loyal  Indians  of  the  same 
name.  These  loyal  ones,  it  should  be  remembered, 
though  they  constitute  seven-eighths  of  the  tribe,  though 
industrious  and  true,  though  far  in  advance  of  the  ren- 
egades, still  are  too  often  forgotten.  Two  of  them, 
" Captain  John,”  and  " Old  George,”  will  be  remembered 
by  all  who  went  across  the  continent  in  this  long  and  per- 
sistent pursuit.  They  were  capital  herders  of  broken- 
down  horses  ; could  recruit  their  strength,  and  fetch  them 
on  when  such  a thing  seemed  possible.  " Old  George  ” 
had  an  Indian  look,  but  kept  his  hair  short,  and  always 
was  good-natured.  On  all  occasions  when  you  spoke  to 


212 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


liim,  his  under  lip,  like  that  of  some  attentive  and  aged 
listener  to  a sermon,  would  drop.  "Old  George”  was 
caught,  some  days  after  Gibbon’s  battle,  by  the  enemy, 
and  held  a prisoner  for  a few  hours.  When  he  had  made 
his  escape,  and  returned,  he  told  me  that  Joseph’s  men 
said  : \ our  men  kill  our  women  and  children  ; your  men 

are  worse  than  the  Indians.”  "Werte!  werte  ! werte  ! ” 
cries  George;  i.  e.,  "No,  no,  no!  my  chief  is  kind.  I 
saw  him  and  his  staff  officers,  and  Mr.  Carleton,  tenderly 
bury  the  women  and  children  with  their  own  hands. 
They  don’t  want  to  hurt  the  women  and  children.” 
George  said  his  captors  were  pleased  to  hear  his  account, 
and  when  he  told  them  he  carried  no  gun  they  simply 
robbed  him  of  his  horse,  and  let  him  escape. 

We  were  ready  to  push  on  the  13th,  turning  south- 
ward, yet  still  keeping  to  the  left  of  the  main  hostile 
trail.  Our  scouts  had  followed  Joseph  over  a level 
stretch  of  country,  till  they  struck  a spur  of  the  Rocky 
Mountain  ridge  which  divided  the  " Bannock  City  ” valley 
from  the  Horse  Prairie  valley.  Across  this  ridge  the 
hostiles  had  gone  by  an  ugly  gap,  or  pass,  probably 
hoping  to  surprise  our  small  advance  detachment,  had  it 
ventured  on  the  direct  pursuit.  But  we  were  too  wary 
for  them  this  time,  and  I had  a firm  belief  that  this  south- 
ward turning  of  Joseph  was  only  a feint,  to  get  me  hope- 
lessly in  the  rear.  The  Indians  were  as  industrious  as 
was  General  Lee  after  Gettysburg  in  attempts  to  deceive 
us  as  to  their  intentions.  "We  are  going  back  by  Salmon 
City,”  they  gave  out ; or,  "we  are  going  back  by  a more 
southern  trail.”  Always,  going  back ! Old  " Captain 
John”  shook  his  head.  "Werte,  werte,”  he  said.  "Buf- 


CAMP  JAMES  H.  BRADLEY. 


213 


falo  illahee,  Joseph,  Looking-glass,  White  Bird ! ” I 
agreed  with  " Captain  John ; ” so  I moved  forward,  keep- 
ing far  to  the  left  of  the  Indians’  trail,  and  did  not  forget 
that  the  said  buffalo  country  was  still  eastward. 

Captain  Browning,  with  Lieutenants  Wright  and  Yan 
Orsdale,  and  fifty  men  of  General  Gibbon’s  command, 
volunteered  to  accompany  us  a few  marches.  Gibbon's 
wagons,  going  northward,  lumbered  off, — hard,  shaky 
things  they  were,  at  best.  They  were  carrying  some 
thirty  poor,  wounded  men,  whom  Doctors  Alexander  and 
Fitzgerald  had  made  as  comfortable  as  possible.  Cheer- 
ful sufferers  these.  They  were  sure  their  friends  wTould 
appreciate  their  gallant  work  and  their  sacrifice. 

The  first  night  towards  Bannock  City  we  named  our 
clean  and  pleasant  camp  from  Lieutenant  Bradley, 
" Camp  James  H.  Bradley.”  Our  men  hoped  that  the 
Bannock  City  people,  whose  appearance  was  unusually 
prepossessing,  would  retain  for  the  spot  the  honored 
name  we  gave  it. 

At  this  camp  we  had  word  from  two  excited  messen- 
gers, that  eight  men,  citizens,  had  been  murdered  by  Jo- 
seph’s Indians  in  Horse  Prairie. 

The  women  and  children  had  all  been  previously  carried 
to  the  mining  town  just  mentioned,  for  safety.  The  In- 
dians had  also  gotten  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  finest 
American  horses.  This  made  us  look  despondingly  at 
our  poor  cavalry,  which  had  begun  to  mope  so  much  as 
to  excite  the  contempt  of  our  frontiersmen.  " Why  don’t 
you  ride  ? Why  not  put  your  cavalry  ahead  every  day  ? 
You  never  can  catch  Joseph,  if  you  don’t ! ” How  truth- 
ful, yet  how  sad,  these  very  apparent  facts.  Still  I 


214 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


never  felt  these  taunts  so  deeply  as  I did  those  eastern 
witticisms,  which  I read  afterwards  : " One  day  ahead  ! ” 
"Beautiful  panorama ! Joseph  and  his  Indians,  Howard 
and  his  soldiers,  running  a race  for  the  amusement  of 
mankind  ! ” The  issue  put  it  all  right. 

The  14th  of  August  we  had  almost  a review ; women 
and  children  came  out  and  watched  the  column  for  a mile, 
to  the  road  junction,  where  we  turned  away  from  Ban- 
nock City  toward  the  Horse  Prairie  country.  These 
people  were  so  happy  to  see  us,  so  pleasant  in  their  man- 
ner and  speech,  that  I could  not  resist  the  temptation  of 
stopping  for  a few  minutes’  conversation.  Old  people 
took  me  by  the  hand,  and  pointed  me  out  to  their  chil- 
dren as  a soldier  who  had  seen  service.  That  little  girl 
at  Gettysburg  town,  in  July,  1863,  who  waved  her  white 
kerchief  to  the  passing  troops,  inspired  them  anew  with 
heartiness  ; so  did  the  Bannock  City  ladies  cheer  our  little 
band  by  their  happy  faces  and  welcome  words,  such  as 
before  and  afterwards,  during  the  campaign,  we  did  not 
often  have  the  privilege  of  enjoying.  The  Bitter  Root 
people,  on  the  other  hand,  had  stoutly  blamed  us  for 
chasing  the  Indians  to  their  neighborhood. 

We  were,  the  15th,  in  that  famous  Horse  Prairie  val- 
ley. Of  course  it  had  a creek  called  " Horse  Prairie,” 
and  a valley  named  like  the  creek.  We  entered  the  valley 
at  the  lower  end.  The  Indians  had  crossed  it  higher  up. 
This  was  that  wonderful  country  that  Washington  Irving- 
described  in  his  " Bonneville’s  Adventures,”  where  is  the 
first  historic  account  of  the  Nez  Perces.  The  Horse 
Prairie  was  the  place  where  they  made  their  toilet  with 
care  before  they  would  see  Captain  Bonneville. 


CAMP  ENGLISH. 


215 


I do  not  know  why  it  is  that  this  valley  appears  to  be 
such  an  exception  to  the  lands  of  the  interior  in  point  of 
fertility.  We  encamped  upon  a grand  farm,  well  fenced 
and  well  kept.  Other  farms  stretched  off  in  the  broad 
valley,  above  and  westward,  as  far  as  we  could  see. 
Good  horses,  good  cattle,  abundant  grain  and  grass. 

Our  second  camp  was  named  for  Captain  Logan ; this 
one  for  Lieutenant  English.  To  me  " Camp  English  ” is 
memorable,  for  here  I had  two  annoyances.  First,  from 
some  volunteers,  Avho  thronged  my  tent,  and  severely 
called  me  to  account  for  the  way  I did  things  in  the  mil- 
itary hue.  Second,  from  citizens,  and  volunteer  messen- 
gers, who  came  from  the  next  valley,  situated  to  our 
right  and  across  another  spur  of  the  mountains,  where  old 
Fort  Lemhi  is  located.  They  declared,  " The  Indians  are 
upon  us  ; they  are  surely  turning  back ; they  will  destroy 
Salmon  City.  Colonel  Shoup,  with  sixty  volunteers,  and 
Ten-doy’s  Indians,  have  retired  to  Fort  Lemhi.  We  are 
" forted  up  ” at  the  cross-roads.  Push  straight  for  the 
fort,  and  you'll  have  them.  Indians  went  west,  passed 
us  at  the  cross-road,  and  are  camped  between  that  and 
the  old  fort.” 

I finally  decided  to  yield  a little  to  the  pressure.  I 
feared  to  move  off  much  to  the  right,  for  reasons  before 
given,  but  I would  take  a trail  to  Lemhi  Valley,  ten  miles 
east  of  the  hostiles,  and  reluctantly  began  my  prepara- 
tions, when,  to  my  great  relief,  a swift  messenger  re- 
ported, after  midnight,  " The  Indians  have  broken  camp, 
and  rushed  past  the  cross-road,  and  its  'forting  up,’ 
doing  us  no  harm,  and  have  gone  eastward  as  fast  as  they 
could.”  The  annoyance  was  over,  then ; so  that,  as  first 


216 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


intended,  we  made  a drive  for  the  Corinne  and  Deer 
Lodge  stage-road,  hoping  almost  against  hope  to  catch 
the  Indians  as  they  emerged  from  the  mountains,  and 
attempted  to  cross  this  road. 

Browning  and  his  men  kept  on  'with  us  ; while  Captain 
Norwood,  one  of  those  gentlemen  who  seem  born  to 
command,  with  his  company  of  the  Second  Cavalry,  was 
reported  as  not  far  behind ; also,  a few  of  the  volunteers 
continued  with  us.  With  a renewal  of  strength  and 
energy,  we  pressed  down  the  Corinne  road.  Joseph  was 
yet  west  of  this  line,  and  was  running,  as  Indians  only 
can,  to  get  past  Dry  Creek  Station  before  we  could  pos- 
sibly reach  there. 

The  evening  of  the  17th  August  brought  us  as  far  as 
Junction  Station.  Firewood  three  miles  off ; poor  graz- 
ing, owing  to  the  superabundance  of  alkali.  Here  fifty- 
five  Montana  volunteers,  under  Captain  Calloway,  came 
up, — good,  sturdy-looking  men,  well  mounted  and  well 
armed.  This  camp  was  a sort  of  a new  place  of  de- 
parture, so  we  will  defer  an  account  till  next  chapter. 


JUNCTION  STATION. 


217 


CHAPTER  XXXH. 

JOSEPH  AND  THE  PURSUIT. — JUNCTION  STATION.— AN  ATTEMPT 
AT  REST,  AND  WHAT  CAME  OF  IT.  — LIEUTENANT  BACON 
SENT  TO  HEAD  INDIANS  OFF  AT  HENRY  LAKE.  — THE  TOWN 
MEETING.  — PLEASANT  VALLEY.  — NO  ESCORT.  — INDIANS 
AHEAD.  — THE  INDIANS  GET  PAST  DRY  CREEK.  — BUFFALO 
HORN  OBSERVING.  —A  GENTLEMANLY"  OLD  MAN.  — CAVALRY 
SLOW.  — STAGES  ROBBED  AND  MEN  KILLED.  — OFFICIAL  RE- 
MONSTRANCE. — ANOTHER  CAMAS  MEADOWS.  — JOSEPH’S 
NIGHT  RAID. 

TAKE  a map  of  the  United  States,  and  look  along  the 
Union  Pacific  Railway  till  you  find  Corinne.  Then 
follow  a north  line,  past  Fort  Hall,  up  almost  to  Virginia 
City,  to  a junction  of  stage  roads,  where  we  arrived  on 
the  nio-ht  of  the  17th  of  August.  The  road  from  Corinne 
to  Virginia  city  is  very  direct.  It  supports  a daily  stage. 

Junction  Station,  where  we  were  encamped  for  a night 
and  forenoon,  was  a lively  place  indeed.  The  stages  and 
stage  lines  are  institutions,  sui  generis.  Passing  through 
a wild,  uninhabited  region,  a station  is  planted  about 
every  fifteen  miles. 

The  hostler  and  his  assistant  live  sometimes  at  their 
stable,  where  horses  enough  for  the  daily  changes  are 
kept,  rested,  and  fed.  In  places  where  hay  is  convenient, 
or  where  there  is  a promise  of  crops  in  the  near  future,  as 
a reward  of  labor,  the  population  increases  to  a hamlet. 
A fertile  valley  always  stretches  out  with  farm-houses, 
and  often,  as  at  Pleasant  Valley,  some  fifteen  miles  south, 


218 


NEZ  PEUCE  JOSEPH. 


has  its  village,  stores,  saloons,  and  shops.  Thus,  gradu- 
ally, a newly  established  stage  line,  here  in  the  interior 
of  the  continent,  is  peopled  by  fully  as  many  souls  as 
such  a dry  region  will  support.  We  must  not  forget 
that  much  of  this  country  is  rough  and  mountainous,  and 
that  many  valuable  mines  of  gold  and  silver  have  been 
discovered,  and  are  worked  not  far  from  the  road. 

The  morning  was  line.  There  was  seldom  a cloud  in 
that  sky.  The  dust  was  lying  a little  closer  to  the  earth, 
and  the  air  Avas  clearer  in  the  morning.  O that  Ave  had 
the  ability  to  get  more  rapid  motion  from  the  tired  ani- 
mals ! But  when  they  wanted  rest  and  food,  they  were 
not  like  those  mothers  of  ours,  who  are  almost  sure,  at 
such  times,  to  move  a little  faster,  and  work  a little 
harder  than  usual.  A horse  will  look  reproachfully  at 
its  rider,  settle  down  into  a solemn,  hopeless  gait,  Avhich 
neither  scolding,  kicking  with  boot-heels,  nor  use  of  whip 
will  quicken  for  more  than  five  paces  at  a time. 

A mischievous  lieutenant,  who  thought  that  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  army,  which  was,  during  Joseph’s  campaign, 
under  consideration  at  Washington,  meant  doubling  his 
present  hard  work,  said,  that  he  wished  from  his  heart 
that  he  could  have  the  military  committee  of  congress  ride 
a set  of  "played  out”  horses  for  one  thousand  miles. 
Poor  fellows  ! I fear  they  would  not  care  Avhether  they 
had  a country  or  not,  and  would,  from  sheer  vexation, 
abolish  the  army  altogether,  and  all  its  horrid  horses. 

This  clear,  fresh  morning  I had  arranged  for  part  ot 
the  animals  to  have  a few  hours’  rest.  This  was  the  plan. 
A line  of  mountains  leads  off  to  the  left,  meeting  another 
line  at  an  angle,  at  the  head  of  Madison  River.  At  this 


COLONEL  CALLOWAY. 


219 


point  is  a charming  lake,  where  an  enterprising  citizen, 
Mr.  Sawtelle,  fifty  miles  from  other  habitations,  had  a 
fishery.  East  of  this  lake,  and  close  by,  is  the  gap  or  pass 
in  the  ridge  that  forms  the  western  gateway  to  the  national 
park.  It  is  called  Tacher’s  Pass.  It  became  evident  to 
my  mind  that  Joseph  would  attempt  this  pass.  I hesi- 
tated, at  first,  owing  to  the  stage-men.  They  thronged 
me.  They  declared  that  it  was  the  nearest  way  to  go  by 
Dry  Creek ; plain  road  there ; no  trail  in  the  straight 
line.  I deliberated  whether  to  take  my  main  force  by  the 
straight  line  north  of  the  mountain  ridge  to  that  key 
point,  or  send  thither  a smaller  body.  I yielded,  finally, 
to  the  positive  reiterated  information ; chose  Lieutenant 
Bacon,  with  forty  picked  men,  and  Robbins,  Avith  his  In- 
dian scouts,  and  sent  them  direct  to  Henry  Lake  and 
Tacher’s  Pass,  while  I moved  by  the  more  circuitous  road 
recommended.  They  had  already  been  six  hours  on  the 
march,  when  I sent  for  CalloAvay,  who  had  been  a volun- 
teer colonel  durino-  the  war  of  the  rebellion. 

O 

" Colonel,  my  horses  are  so  jaded  that  I wish  to  rest 
them  a feAv  hours.  My  white  scouts  are  beyond  Pleasant 
Valley,  and  I wish  to  be  nearer  them ; will  you  escort 
me?” 

" Oh,  yes,  general,  I’ll  go  and  get  the  boys  together. 
You  know  we  have  a little  town-meetino-.  We  can’t  do  as 

o 

you  do  ; just  give  orders,  and  have  done  Avith  it.” 

I said,  “All  right,  colonel;  I Avish  to  leave  very 
soon.” 

In  about  ten  minutes,  the  Arolunteers,  in  a body,  came 
to  see  me,  and  I told  them  my  AA'ishes,  as  I had  already 
done  to  their  commander.  They  delayed  a little  to  talk 


220 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


it  over,  and  then  they  said,  " Come,  hoys,  let  us  go  and 
get  our  horses.” 

My  team  — for  we  were  to  ride  to  Pleasant  Valley  in  a 
wagon  — was  ready.  Lieutenant  Fletcher,  with  his  car- 
bine in  his  hand,  sat  by  me.  Just  as  we  were  leaving,  a 
tine-looking  young  citizen,  fully  armed  and  equipped,  and 
riding  a handsome  fresh  horse,  rode  on  beside  the  wagon. 
This  gentleman,  Fletcher,  and  the  driver,  constituted  the 
actual  escort. 

Joseph  had  reached  the  stage-road  beyond  Pleasant 
Valley.  Shortly  we  met  a half-breed  scout,  who  had  be- 
come frightened,  lost  his  gun,  and  deserted.  Next  we  met 
a citizen  scout. 

" What’s  the  matter,  my  man  ? ” 

" My  hoss  is  played,”  he  replied. 

"Well,  come  with  us,  and  try  to  keep  up.” 

In  a few  moments  more  another  scout  came  with  a note 
from  the  front. 

" Indians  are  on  us ! We  are  skirmishing  with  them 
beyond  Dry  Creek.” 

I looked  back  to  see  if  I could  catch  sight  of  the  dust 
of  the  volunteers.  The  roacl  was  dangerous,  and  Pleasant 
Valley  itself  would  soon  be  threatened ; might  be  taken. 
No  volunteers  ! At  last  I sent  back  for  the  entire  com- 
mand. Lieutenant  Wood’s  record  reads  : " General  How- 
ard leaves  word  for  volunteers  under  Captain  Calloway  to 
come  on  as  escort.  They  held  a council  of  war,  and  de- 
clined to  do  so  until  all  their  comrades  had  caught  up, 
and  rested  their  horses.” 

The  result  was  that  the  dangerous  journey  of  eighteen 
miles  was  made  without  escort.  The  command,  i.  e.,  the 


BUFFALO  HORN  OBSERVING. 


221 


cavalry,  increased  by  Norwood’s  company,  overtook  me 
at  Pleasant  Valley,  and  on  we  went  to  Dry  Creek  Station, 
to  find  that  the  Indians  had  already  crossed  the  stage- 
road  several  miles  below,  and  had  gone  on  to  Camas 
Meadows. 

One  of  Robbins’  scouts,  the  famous  Buffalo  Horn,  who, 
a Bannock,  has  since  fought  against  us  and  was  killed,  at 
this  time,  with  two  others,  crept  to  the  top  of  the  moun- 
tain ridge,  succeeded  in  getting  upon  a prominent  point, 
whence  he  could  see  Joseph’s  camp  in  the  Camas  Mead- 
ows below ; they  were  fifteen  or  eighteen  miles  from  the 
Dry  Creek  Station.  Buffalo  Horn  sent  one  of  the  In- 
dians with  a message:  "Joseph,  and  all  his  Indians  are 
here.”  How  confident  I then  felt ! 

Bacon  and  Robbins  ahead  of  Joseph,  and  my  cavalry 
only  eighteen  miles  behind,  and  on  the  direct  trail ! If  it 
were  possible,  I would  reinforce  Bacon  ; but  he  is  seventy 
miles  off. 

" He  can  annoy  and  stop  them,  if  he  cannot  do  more  ! ” 
I exclaim. 

It  was  late,  after  dark,  when  at  the  end  of  some  twenty- 

eight  miles  we  came  to  Dry  Creek.  A fine-appearing 

man,  apparently  over  sixty  years  of  age,  saluted  me.  He 

used  so  o-ood  English  in  conversation  that  I was  sur- 
© © 

prised.  He  did  not  curse  and  swear,  or  piece  out  every 
sentence  with  some  crude  provincialism.  He  had  been  a 
sea-captain ; was  a native  of  Maine,  evidently  well  edu- 
cated, and  well  bred.  "Uncle  Mac”  knew  every  path 
in  that  country.  The  quartermaster  arranged  with  him 
for  forage,  wood,  and  for  guiding  me  in  the  morning. 
He  told  us  that  the  Indians  had  done  great  mischief  along 


222 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


the  stage-road.  They  had  destroyed  Shoup’s  train  of 
wagons,  killed  several  men,  also  broken  up  a station,  and 
run  off  the  stock. 

The  cavalry  horses  were  indeed  slow  in  their  progress, 
and  the  command  had  been  much  reduced  by  Bacon's 
detachment.  The  volunteers  were  behind  at  Pleasant 
Valley,  and  the  footmen  at  least  a day’s  march  farther  in 
the  rear  ; so  that  the  general  aspect  of  things  affected  our 
best  officers  quite  unpleasantly.  That  night  my  bright 
hopes  were  greatly  dampened  in  consequence  of  a formal 
remonstrance  against  further  progress  till  the  Infantry 
should  join.  But  I decided  that  we  must  not  let  this 
opportunity  slip ; so,  with  the  aged  guide  to  lead  us,  at 
dawn  the  next  day  we  broke  from  the  stage-road  to  the 
left,  and  marched  rapidly  to  Camas  Prairie,  to  the  very 
camp  the  Indians  had  occupied,  where  Buffalo  Horn  had 
looked  down  upon  them.  These  are  the  famous  Camas 
Meadows,  where  we  gave  most  occasion  for  sport  to  our 
good  friends  in  the  east,  who  make  and  love  caricatures. 
It  is  where  " Howard  was  surprised  by  Joseph,  and  lost  his 
mules ! ” How  the  enterprising  young  chieftan  made  a 
fair  march,  established  his  encampment  for  women,  chil- 
dren, and  surplus  animals  beyond  our  reach,  and  then, 
with  his  freshly  stolen  horses  and  picked  men,  returned  in 
the  night,  surprised  and  circumvented  our  pickets  and 
sentinels,  presents  in  the  following  pages  a subject  of 
special  interest. 


THE  BATTLE  OF  CAMAS  MEADOWS. 


223 


CHAPTER  XXXIH. 


JOSEPH  AND  THE  BATTLE  OF  CAMAS  MEADOWS.  — THE  CAMP 
OF  THE  19th  AUGUST,  AND  ITS  SUBBOUND  DIGS.  — THE  LAY  A 
ENOLLS.  — POSITION  OF  THE  VOLUNTEERS  AND  TROOPS.— 
THE  MULES  GBAZING.—  MASON  PLANTED  THE  OUTPOSTS.— 
A TENT  SCENE. — A TEBBIFIC  NOISE.  — THE  VOLUNTEEB 
PANIC.  — STAMPEDE  OF  THE  ANIMALS.  — HOW  JOSEPH  AP- 
PROACHED.  — THE  BELL-MARE.  — PROMPT  PREPARATION.  — 
MULES  OVERTAKEN.— INDLANS  FLANKING  OUR  ADVANCE.— 
NORWOOD’S  FIGHT.  — LIEUTENANT  BENSON  WOUNDED.— 
BURIAL  OF  THE  DEAD. 

LMOST  the  only  English  writers  who,  describing 


-TL  battles,  have  succeeded  in  giving  to  my  mind  a clear 
conception  of  the  location  of  troops  and  of  their  actual 
movements  during  the  engagements,  are  Carlyle  and 
Thackeray.  The  former  gives  a careful  description  of 
the  ground,  the  streams,  the  thickets,  the  villages,  and 
the  hills.  He  arranges  the  troops  in  a graphic  way,  so 
that  if  you  had  your  pencil  and  sketch-book  you  could 
map  out  the  field  of  conflict.  Thackeray  is  less  formal 
and  precise,  but  seizes  upon  prominent  points,  and  gives 
enough  of  minutia  to  help  the  imagination  fill  out  the  pic- 
ture ; and  does  not,  as  do  most  writers,  leave  you  with  a 
confused  impression.  Perhaps,  however,  a confused  im- 
pression is  the  true  one  to  give  concerning  a surprise  and 
the  terrible  din  of  arms  like  that  of  Sunday  night,  the 
19th  and  20tli  of  August,  1877. 

But  as  there  was  no  confusion  in  the  arrangements,  and 


224 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


none  in  the  operations,  after  the  dawn  began,  we  will  pro- 
ceed to  lay  out  our  field,  and  for  observation  drive  down 
a few  prominent  stakes. 

Conceive  a broad,  grassy  meadow.  You  enter  it  mid- 
way from  its  western  edge.  To  your  left  is  a chain  of 
hills,  or  "mountain  spurs.”  On  the  nearest  height,  Buf- 
falo Horn  and  his  comrade  scout  had  sat  and  watched  the 
meadow  the  day  before ; straight  ahead  of  you,  and  a 
half  mile  forward,  were  a few  large  stacks  of  meadow  hay, 
from  fifty  to  a hundred  yards  asunder.  Just  beyond  the 
mown  flats,  from  which  the  hay  came,  were  two  streams 
of  water,  running  quite  swiftly  ; each  stream  was  fringed 
with  bushes  higher  than  the  men’s  heads.  The  two  streams 
ran  across  our  path,  and  were  nearly  parallel  with  each 
other.  Beyond,  some  two  hundred  yards,  we  touched  the 
higher  ground.  The  meadow  sweeping  off  to  the  left, 
northward,  becomes  narrow  near  the  mountain  spur,  and 
extends  eastward.  Here  on  the  higher  ground,  acres 
upon  acres,  for  ten  miles  or  more,  are  thrown  into  curious 
lava-knolls,  each  knoll  so  much  like  another,  that  you 
cannot  fix  your  whereabouts  by  the  distinct  and  diverse 
features  around  you.  Should  you  drive  to  pasture  five 
horses  over  these  wave-like  knolls  for  a mile,  and  then 
leave  them  for  an  hour  to  graze,  it  would  be  next  to  im- 
possible to  find  them. 

We  took  for  the  centre  of  our  night  camp  one  of  these 
knolls  which  was  near  to  the  meadow  bottom.  From  my 
tent  I looked  back  to  the  parallel  streams.  Across  the 
first  one,  the  Calloway  volunteers  encamped.  Norwood’s 
Cavalry  and  the  forty  infantry  occupied  the  west  side. 
The  other  companies  of  cavalry  covered  all  approaches  to 


THE  LAVA  KNOLLS. 


225 


i 

my  own,  the  central  position,  which  was  upon  a compara- 
tively high  lava  pile,  that,  studded  with  bushes,  consti- 
tuted our  castle-like  defence.  This  position  was  strength- 
ened by  knolls  and  lava-rocks  on  three  sides,  north,  east, 
and  south.  We  took  plenty  of  room,  and  Mason,  as  was 
his  custom,  located  the  outposts  and  pickets  well  in  ad- 
vance of  each  front.  The  Indians  had  gone,  as  we  knew 
by  their  full  trail,  up  the  north  sweep  of  the  meadow, 
and  were,  when  we  arrived  at  the  Camas,  in  their  camp 
fifteen  miles  in  advance.  Ahead  of  them,  forty  miles  or 
more,  was  Henry  Lake  and  the  Tacher’s  Pass,  which 
leads  into  the  National  Park ; and  as  I had  hoped  there, 
likewise,  on  the  look  out,  with  his  command,  was  Lieu- 
tenant Bacon. 

"Well,”  says  Lieutenant  Wood,  as  we  were  preparing 
for  rest,  " I’ll  take  off  my  pants  to-night,  it  is  so  safe  a 
place.” 

Lieutenant  Howard  laughed,  and  said,  " I’ve  loaned  my 
pistol  to  a scout  for  to-night,  so  think  likely  the  Indians 
will  come  back.” 

We  all  ventured,  in  spite  of  the  latter’s  humorous  pre- 
diction, to  get  between  the  blankets  without  the  panta- 
loons. How  quiet  was  the  night ; starlight,  but  no  moon. 
It  is  wonderful,  that  stillness  of  a sleeping  camp,  so  like 
death.  I remember  to  have  slept  beside  some  soldiers  at 
Antietam.  They,  with  their  heads  covered,  appeared 
sleeping  soundly.  In  the  morning  I was  shocked  to  find 
that  they  were  the  dead  whom  their  comrades  had  laid 
there,  prepared  for  burial. 

At  Camas  Meadows,  after  midnight,  nothing  could 
be  heard  but  the  tread  of  a sentinel,  the  occasional 

15 


226 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


neigh  of  a horse,  bray  of  a mule,  or  bark  of  a startled 
dog.  But  suddenly,  while  the  darkness  was  yet  intense, 
there  came  a terrific  noise,  the  rattling  of  musketry;  a 
sharp,  quick,  multitudinous  roaring,  followed  by  the 
shrill  Indian  yell. 

" Here  they  are  ! ” we  exclaim,  as  we  all  sit  up  in  our 
blankets. 

" Lie  close,  or  a stray  bullet  will  hit  you.” 

" Oh,  no,  I must  be  up  for  this.  Nothing  can  be  bet- 
ter, if  they  only  will  stay,  and  give  us  a battle.” 

Our  clothes  and  equipments  were  resumed  quickly 
enough.  Horses  and  men  were  ready  by  the  time  we 
were  beyond  our  tent  fiy. 

Calloway  and  his  volunteers,  not  so  used  to  sudden 
alarms,  find  it  hard  to  get  in  order.  One  takes  another’s 
gun,  some  get  the  wrong  belts,  others  drop  their  percus- 
sion caps ; their  horses  get  into  a regular  stampede,  and 
rush  in  the  darkness  toward  the  herd  of  mules,  and  all 
the  animals  scamper  oft’  together,  while  the  citizens  plunge 
into  the  water  above  their  knees,  and  cross  to  the  regular 
troops  at  a double-quick. 

The  Indians,  under  Joseph’s  lead,  sent  a few  of  their 
numbers,  who  had  crept  in  slyly  between  the  pickets. 
These  cut  the  hobbles  of  the  bell-mares,  and  took  off  the 
bells,  and  were  ready  at  the  signal  to  give  the  herd  a direc- 
tion the  instant  the  firing  began.  The  yell  was  so  terri- 
ble, that  mules  tied  to  wagons  tried  to  break  loose,  and 
the  horses  at  the  picket-ropes  did  all  they  could  to  mani- 
fest their  fear  by  pulling,  pushing,  and  springing. 

Joseph  had  so  organized  a few  of  his  Indians,  and 
marched  them  toward  camp,  as  to  make  the  picket  think 


STAMPEDE  OF  THE  ANIMALS. 


227 


it  was  Bacon’s  party  coming  back.  They,  the  Indians, 
came  on  by  fours,  steadily,  and  very  like  our  troopers, 
till  challenged.  Not  being  able  to  reply  correctly,  the 
picket  fired  upon  them.  This  was  doubtless  the  first 
sound.  Then  came  the  big  firing  and  yelling,  and  then, 
quickly  enough,  the  reply  from  our  camp. 

When  I had  advanced  to  Norwood’s  wagons,  I could 
just  get  glimpses  of  the  herd  of  animals  making  off  be- 
yond the  first  stream,  but  whether  westward  or  north- 
ward could  not  be  determined  till  the  sun  should  get 
nearer  to  the  rising. 

The  cavalry  was  put  in  readiness.  Norwood’s,  Carr’s, 
Jackson’s  three  companies,  under  the  Major,  Sandford. 

With  orders  to  pursue  and  recover  the  mules  and 
horses  that  had  been  stampeded,  away  they  went  at  a 
gallop,  company  after  company,  while  we  organized  the 
camp  for  a possible  attack  from  the  knoll  to  the  east  of 
us.  I had  remaining,  Wagner's  and  Bendire’s  Cavalry, 
and  the  fifty  infantry,  under  Captain  Wells,  with  a couple 
of  pieces  of  artillery. 

As  we  had  to  wait  for  results,  our  breakfast  at  the 
headquarters  was  prepared  as  usual,  and  we  sat  cross- 
legged  upon  the  ground  around  our  canvas  table.  I con- 
fess it  was  a little  exciting  to  be  aroused  from  sleep  in 
this  way,  and  so  the  bread  and  coffee  had  to  be  forced 
somewhat.  The  first  messenger,  a soldier,  came  gallop- 
ing in,  and  quickly  dismounted. 

" The  compliments,  sir,  of  Major  Sandford  ; the  mules 
have  been  overtaken,  and  some  fifty  to  seventy-five  of 
them  have  been  brought  back.” 

" Tell  the  major,  all  right.  I do  hope  that  he  may  get 
them  all.” 


228 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


Another  messenger,  before  we  hud  finished  breakfast, 
galloped  up  in  hot  haste  : 

" The  major  says,  sir,  the  Indians  have  come  back  to 
attack  in  large  force,  and  are  turning  his  left.” 

The  remainder  of  the  cavalry  was  soon  brought  out, 
with  the  infantry  and  the  artillery,  and  moved  on  toward 
the  threatened  point. 

Through  the  irregular  ravines,  over  the  rough  lava- 
knolls,  we  crept  along.  A few  volunteers,  who  still  had 
their  horses,  followed  the  artillery  from  point  to  point  till 
we  came  in  sight  of  the  line,  — our  line  retiring. 

"What  is  the  matter,  major?” 

" We  were  rushing  ahead,  Carr  in  front,  when  we  ran 
into  a sort  of  ambush.  The  Indians  began  to  get  first 
around  Norwood’s  left,  and  then  around  Jackson  over  on 
the  right.  I thought  as  there  were  so  many  of  them  that 
I would  draw  back  a little.” 

"But  where  is  Norwood?” 

" That  is  what  I am  trying  to  find  out.” 

" Why,  you  haven’t  left  him  ? ” 

"No,  I sent  to  him  the  order  at  the  same  time  as  to 
Carr,  but  it  seems  that  he  has  stopped.” 

" Well,  let  us  return  to  him  at  once.” 

So,  stretching  out  our  line,  making  it  as  long  and  formi- 
dable as  possible,  we  kept  on. 

"Come  here,  Carleton,”  (the  citizen  scout,)  "where  are 
Norwood  and  his  company?” 

" I left  him  over  yonder,  fighting  hard,  over  there  by 
the  bushes.” 

I asked  two  or  three  others ; one  pointed  in  one  direc- 
tion, and  another  two  or  more  points  to  the  right  or  left, 


Norwood’s  fight. 


229 


so  confusing  were  those  lava-beds.  But  we  continued 
marching  northerly  and  easterly,  ready  to  make  a good 
tight  if  the  enemy  should  turn  back. 

At  last  a little  clump  of  thick  cottonwood  appeared, 
and  to. its  left  a pile  of  rocks,  more  sharp-edged  and 
craggy  than  the  rest.  Here,  to  our  joy,  was  Norwood’s 
company,  dismounted.  He  had  fought  quite  a battle,  and 
the  Indians  had  been  beaten  back.  Some  of  our  crazy 
mules,  which  we  had  recovered,  were  stampeded  again, 
and  in  the  most  senseless  manner  ran  off  in  the  wrong 
direction  — to  the  Indian  herd. 

Here,  among  the  trees,  we  found  Norwood’s  wounded, 
including  Lieutenant  Benson,  who,  gallant  fellow,  had 
volunteered  but  two  days  before,  his  own  company  not 
beinsr  with  us.  It  was  now  afternoon.  The  Indians  were 

O 

ahead  eight  or  ten  miles.  They  had  stopped  now  and 
then  to  fight,  but  had  made  off  again  toward  the  Henry 
Lake. 

Not  being  prepared  to  advance  farther  that  day,  much 
to  Buffalo  Horn’s  disgust,  I ordered  the  troops  to  camp. 

We  returned  slowly  with  our  six  wounded  men,  and 
one  dead.  " One  dead  ! ” It  seemed  strange  to  us,  there 
at  the  edge  of  the  meadow,  in  the  middle  of  the  continent, 
that  but  one  should  be  taken,  and  that  one  the  favorite 
orderly  and  bugler  of  Captain  Jackson.  He  was  tenderly 
prepared  for  burial.  The  grave  was  dug  by  his  com- 
rades ; Mason  read  the  touching  Episcopal  service  beside 
it,  while  officers  and  men  stood  around  'with  solemn,  and, 
often,  tear-moistened  faces.  The  farewell  volleys  were 
given,  and  the  remains  of  young  Brooks  were  left,  to  rest 
there  in  loneliness  till  the  resurrection. 


230 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTEK  XXXIV. 

JOSEPH  AND  THE  PURSUIT.  — EXTRAORDINARY  MARCH.  — PIC- 
TURESQUE SCOUTS.  — CAPTAIN  BAINBRIDGE.  — CHEERING 
WORDS. —MORAL  EFFECT  OF  KINDLY  EXPRESSIONS.  — FISH- 
ER. - CHIT-CHAT  ON  THE  MARCH.  — THOUGHTS  OF  HOME.  — 
HEAD-WATERS  OF  THE  SNAKE.  — INDIAN  DANCE  .— BUFFALO 
HORN’S  MODEST  REQUEST.  — CHARGE  OF  TREACHERY.  — A 
VERY  EARLY  START.  — TACHER’S  PASS. —DISCOURAGEMENT 
OF  TROOPS.— NAKED  AND  HUNGRY.  — HOT  DAYS  AND  FREEZ- 
ING NIGHTS.  — GENERL  HOWARD’S  VISIT  TO  VIRGINIA  CITY. 
— HORSES  AT  A PREMIUM.  — RETURN  TO  CAMP.  — GENERAL 
SHERMAN’S  TELEGRAM.  — CAMP  EBSTEIN.— A FRESH  START. 

WHEN  Miller  heard  that  the  cavalry  had  struck  the 
Indians,  his  command  instantly  quickened  with  a 
surprising  energy,  and  seemed  to  move  with  the  swift- 
ness of  fresh  horses.  He  came  up  some  forty-eight  miles 
in  less  than  twenty-four  hours.  Cushing,  who  had,  under 
General  McDowell’s  instructions,  started  with  his  com- 
pany for  San  Francisco,  joined  us.  Captain  Bonneville’s 
interview  with  wild  Indians  on  Horse  Prairie,  and  its 
picturesque  ceremonial,  have  been  referred  to.  We  had 
at  Camp  Benson,  the  second  day  after  the  battle  of 
Camas  Meadows,  a repetition  of  the  effects,  if  not  of 
the  ceremonies  of  that  occasion.  First  a gay  cavalcade, 
riding  with  the  speed  and  easy  grace  of  Indians,  appeared 
in  the  distance.  It  proved  to  be  the  advance  guard  of  a 
company  of  scouts  from  Fort  Hall,  about  one  hundred 
miles  to  the  south-west.  Their  feathers  and  fur  strips 


JOSEPH  AND  THE  PURSUIT. 


231 


were  flying  in  the  breeze,  and  the  bright  colors  and  taste- 
ful decorations  of  each  man  and  horse  added  to  the  bril- 
liant effect.  They  carried  a white  flag  in  the  front  rank, 
and  rode  grandly  into  our  camp. 

They  brought  messages  from  Captain  Bainbridge,  who 
himself,  before  midnight,  joined  us  with  the  remainder  of 
the  scouts  and  his  small  guard  of  soldiers.  Bainbridge 
brought  the  good  wishes  of  General  Crook,  as  well  as  an 
increase  of  our  scouting  force.  Everybody  knows  that 
there  are  times  when  a little  help,  or  even  a word  of 
cheer,  goes  straight  to  the  heart.  A thrill  of  joy  ran 
through  our  weary  and  almost  discouraged  company  at 
this  accession. 

The  leader  of  these  scouts,  or  the  " chief  scout,”  as  he 
was  called,  deserves  a special  notice.  He  was  a tall,  pale 
man,  of  fair  proportions,  being  slightly  deaf.  A stranger 
would  see  little  that  was  remarkable  in  him.  Yet  of  all 
the  scouts  in  our  Indian  campaign,  none  equalled  this 
chief,  Fisher.  Night  and  day,  with  guides  and  without, 
with  force  and  without,  Fisher  fearlessly  hung  upon  the 
skirts  of  the  enemy.  The  accuracy,  carefulness,  and 
fulness  of  his  reports,  to  one  attempting  to  chase  Indians 
across  a vast  wilderness,  were  a delight. 

For  the  remainder  of  the  march  our  record  will  be 
swift  and  graphic.  On  the  narrowest  trails  we  were 
obliged  to  ride  or  march  in  single  file,  but  habitually 
Mason,  or  one  of  my  aides,  rode  by  my  side,  and  the 
command  came  on  by  twos.  What  did  we  not  talk  of? 
Science,  art,  literature,  poetry,  homes;  yes,  homes  — 
theirs  and  mine.  Every  soldier  will  understand  me  when 
I say  that  in  these  conversations,  whenever  the  word 


232 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


home  is  spoken,  moistened  eyes,  gentle  tones,  and  tender 
hearts,  are  the  rule,  and  not  the  exception. 

August  23.  We  had  just  crossed  one  of  the  branches 
of  the  Snake.  We  were  nearing  its  head- waters.  A mile 
or  two  beyond  was  a charming  glade  in  the  forest.  This 
glade  occupied  the  angle  between  the  Snake  and  a small 
tributary.  The  animals  must  have  all  the  grass,  so 
we  put  our  rough  shelter  and  wedge-tents  around  the 
glade,  in  the  edge  of  the  wood.  The  Bannocks,  our 
scouts,  had  for  their  tepees  a slight  knoll  near  the  water, 
not  far  from  the  general's  bivouac.  Buffalo  Horn  came 
to  him,  and  asked  if  the  Indians  might  have  a dance. 

" Oh,  yes  ; let  them  dance.” 

The  echo  of  the  wild  singing,  the  weird  shapes  passing 
the  fire  during  the  dance,  and  the  actual  sense  of  danger, 
after  Joseph’s  late  night  attack,  appeared  to  impress  the 
whole  command  with  a feeling  of  apprehension,  almost  a 
panic.  Added  to  this,  the  general  was  intending  to  wake 
the  command  at  two  o’clock,  so  as,  with  one  more  trial, 
by  a forced  march  to  come  upon  Joseph’s  heels  before  he 
passed  through  the  Tacher’s  Gap  into  the  Yellowstone 
Park,  and  therefore  an  unusual  stir  of  preparation  was 
kept  up.  It  was  a night  to  be  remembered.  The  neigh- 
ing of  the  horses,  and  the  braying  of  the  mules,  one  oc- 
casionally giving  a high  and  prolonged  screech,  sounded, 
during  this  still  night,  ten  times  louder  than  usual. 

About  midnight,  after  the  war-dance  and  its  council 
had  subsided,  Buffalo  Horn  and  a thick-set,  semi-savage 
half-breed,  who  was  called  Paine,  came  to  head-quarters, 
and  asked  for  authority  to  kill  our  Nez  Perce  herders, 
" Captain  John,”  " Old  George,”  and  one  other  Indian  of 


tachee’s  pass. 


233 


the  tribe.  Raine  said  George  and  the  other  Indians  were 
traitors ; that  they  had  rejoiced  openly  at  Joseph’s  suc- 
cess in  surprising  our  mule  herd,  and  that  old  John  was  a 
Xez  Perce,  and  ought  to  die. 

We  had  George  brought  forward,  to  face  his  accusers. 
He  was  so  frank,  and  evidently  so  honest,  that  the  story 
against  him  was  not  for  a moment  believed,  and  Buffalo 
Horn  was  denied  the  small  favor  of  killing  the  three. 
He  was  very  angry  in  consequence,  and  never  quite  for- 
gave me  for  this  refusal.  The  third  Indian  may  have 
been  guilty.  He,  at  any  rate,  so  much  feared  these  sus- 
picious and  exacting  Bannocks,  that  he  escaped  into 
the  forest  that  night,  and  went  back  to  Kamiah.  But  the 
jolly  " Captain  John,”  and  the  demure  " Geoige,”  herding 
and  bringing  up  the  " played-out  ” horses,  from  day  to 
day,  in  a wonderful  manner,  remained  with  the  command 
to  the  close  of  the  campaign. 

How  vast  appeared  this  opening,  this  immense  prairie, 
into  which  the  column  emerged  from  the  forest  at  peep  of 
day ! Miles  of  tall  grass ; yonder,  straight  ahead,  the 
mountain  ridge,  rough  and  irregular ; a beautiful  lake  off 
to  the  left  and  north. 

" That  must  be  the  gap,  Tacher’s  Pass,”  says  Wood. 

" Oh,  yes ; and  sure  enough  there  is  an  Indian  camp 
where  the  smoke  rises,”  Mason  quickly  replies. 

Our  scouts  and  advance  guard  are  close  on  them. 
" Let  us  ride.”  So  we  did,  as  fast  as  the  poor  horses 
could  get  on.  Finally,  the  command  had  mastered  the 
stream,  ditches,  and  unexpected  gulches  that  turned  us 
olf  wearily  to  the  right  and  left,  and  we  came  to  the 
mouth  of  the  famous  pass. 


234 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


"Well,  general,”  says  Chief  Robbins,  "we  found  ’em 
gone.  Fisher  and  his  Indians  have  followed  on  through 
the  gap.”  Being  thus  eluded  again,  the  greatest  discour- 
agement seized  upon  officers  and  men,  as  they  were  put 
into  camp  that  day.  They  appeared  to  themselves  much 
like  a poor  dog  watching  the  hole  from  which  the  badger 
had  just  escaped. 

Bacon  and  his  party,  on  his  arrival,  not  seeing  any 
Indians  at  or  near  Henry  Lake,  which  was  in  plain  sight 
of  this  Tacher’s  Pass,  had  turned  back,  and  were  obliged 
to  complete  a junction  with  us  by  a stern  chase ; and  the 
proverb  that  " a stern  chase  is  a long  one,”  did  not  here 
fail.  But  what  a disappointment ! There,  Bacon  had 
come  into  full  view  of  the  beautiful  lake,  and  the  Pass, 
just  beyond,  two  days  before  the  Indians  rushed  through. 
If  Bacon  only  could  have  known  ! If  the  cowardly  mes- 
sengers only  had  gone  to  him,  instead  of  returning  to  me 
with  a statement  that  they  could  not  find  him,  our  tedious 
work  might  have  terminated  at  this  point. 

Fisher,  with  the  Indian  scouts,  was  still  pursuing. 
" They  are  not  far  ahead,”  I said  to  myself,  and  issued 
orders  to  move.  "We  cannot,  we  cannot,  general! 
Come,  look  at  your  soldiers  ; look  at  their  clothing,  rag- 
ged already,  and  tied  with  strings ; look  at  their  feet, 
some  barefooted,  and  the  most  with  shoes  so  badly  worn 
that  in  one  or  two  days  they  will  be  gone.  The  ice  froze 
an  inch  in  our  basins  last  night,  and  we  have  no  over- 
coats, nothing  but  thin  blankets,  now  falling  to  pieces. 
There  are  no  spare  blankets  for  nights  like  these.”  "You 
can  go  no  farther,”  says  Doctor  Alexander.  The  in- 
spector, the  aides,  the  quartermaster,  and  the  other  offi- 
cers echo  the  sad  response,  "You  can  go  no  farther.” 


VIRGINIA  CITY. 


235 


The  general  decided  to  telegraph,  sending  fifty  miles,  to 
the  nearest  station,  for  instructions,  suspended  his  orders, 
and  changed  his  plans ; for,  in  view  of  these  terrible 
facts,  what  else  could  be  done?  It  will  be  remembered 
that  this  was  almost  the  only  halt  for  upwards  of  two 
months. 

Virginia  City  was  seventy  miles  away.  "Take  the  best 
team  you  can  find,  Guy,  and  I will  go  and  get  clothing 
and  supplies.  Let  Cushing  and  Norwood,  with  their 
companies,  proceed  to  Fort  Ellis,  and  take  a re-supply 
by  way  of  Crow  Agency,  and  join  us  again  two  hundred 
miles  on,  while  the  main  body  rests  here  for  four  days, 
keeping  its  scouts  close  to  the  Indians,  and  well  informed 
of  their  movements.”  The  needs  of  the  command  were 
written  out,  and  with  such  memoranda  Captain  Adams,  as 
quartermaster,  Lieut.  Howard,  and  myself  set  out.  We 
had  a pretty  good  team,  and  a good  driver.  The  stout 
wagon  wasn’t  made  for  comfortable  riding,  but  it  could 
rumble  over  small  and  large  bowlders,  and  across  acres 
literally  sowed  with  stones.  We  were  so  exhausted  that 
it  was  a comfort  to  change,  as  Mason  says,  from  the 
"clothes-pin  method,”  to  ride  even  in  a springless  lumber- 
wagon.  Thus  we  were  pulled  on,  all  day  and  all  night. 

Before  noon,  the  24th,  we  crept  out  from  under  the 
seat,  from  fitful  dreams,  a sort  of  "make-believe”  sleep, 
to  catch  a glimpse  of  a few  houses.  Soon  we  reached 
the  town,  a mining  village,  planted  here  in  the  midst  of 
a wilderness  of  hills  and  mountains. 

"Plenty  of  stores,  such  as  they  are,”  says  Guy. 

Imagine  the  delight  of  traders,  Jew  and  Gentile,  at  this 
visitation ; for  shoes,  and  clothes,  and  blankets  we  must 


236 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


have.  We  nearly  bought  them  out.  Our  jaded  cavalry- 
horses  were  remembered,  and  a goodly  supply  of  fresh 
animals  were  ordered  from  the  most  accommodating  of 
ranchmen,  and  I fear  also  from  the  shrewdest  of  jockeys. 

"Horses,  is  it?”  asked  a bystander.  "Why,  yes,  I 
have  an  abundance  on  my  ranch,  all  in  good  order,  and 
well  broken  to  the  bridle  and  saddle.” 

You  should  have  seen  these  same  hox-ses  when  Indians, 
frontiersmen,  and  packers  tried  to  put  on  the  bridle  and 
the  saddle.  Refer  to  the  description  of  a " Bucking  Cay- 
use,”  and  hold  your  breath.  Such  a pitching  and  plung- 
ing, hooting  and  yelling,  running  and  falling,  made  one 
think  of  danger  ahead  from  something  beside  Indians  ! 

After  a few  hours’  work  at  Virginia  City,  we  set  out  on 
the  return.  The  Madison  and  the  Jefferson  are  two 
mountain  peaks  near  the  grand  dividing  ridge,  not  far 
from  Henry  Lake.  They  are  also  the  names  of  two 
mountain  streams,  tributaries  of  the  Yellowstone.  Our 
wagon  had  to  ascend  to  the  mountain-divide  along  the 
bank  of  another  stream,  the  Galatin,  crossing  it  several 
times.  Its  water  is  very  clear,  tumbling  and  rustling 
over  its  strong  bed,  hereabouts  always  wide,  but  shallow 
enough  to  ford. 

After  crossing  the  divide,  as  we  descended  the  clear 
woodland  slope,  we  soon  caught  a glimpse  of  Henry 
Lake,  and  then  of  our  camp,  which  had,  during  our  ab- 
sence, been  moved  around  to  the  side  of  our  approach. 
What  a grand  view  was  before  us  ! Nothing  more  pic- 
turesque ! The  mountain  ridges,  the  broad  meadows 
between,  and  the  lake  at  the  foot  of  our  glacis,  with  a 
small  city  in  the  foreground,  of  tents  and  temporary 


A FRESH  START. 


237 


shelters,  which  were  flanked  on  either  side  by  the  nu- 
merous horses  and  mules  that  were  grazing  peacefully 
alone;  the  shores. 

After  our  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  ride,  we  find 
at  camp  telegrams  like  the  following  : 

"Where  Indians  can  subsist,  the  army  can  live.  . . . 
The  country  and  the  government  expect  you  to  do  your 
duty.  No  troops  near  enough  to  take  your  place.  Con- 
tinue the  pursuit.  If  you  are  tired,  general,  put  in  a 
younger  man,  and  return  to  Oregon  ; but  the  troops  must 
go  on.” 

How  hard  to  bear  some  things  are ! The  general 
wasn’t  tired,  of  course,  nor  did  he  mean  to  be  tired.  His 
business  was  to  die  in  his  tracks,  if  need  be.  But  the 
chafing,  stern  order  to  the  general  worked  like  a charm 
upon  the  command.  Officers  and  soldiers,  now  re-sup- 
plied, were  ready,  to  a man.  "We  will  go  with  you  to 
the  death.”  It  was  worth  while  to  bear  a little  chagrin 
in  order  to  awaken  such  a loyal  spirit. 

Behold  us,  then,  setting  forth,  bright  and  early  the 
Monday  morning  of  the  27th  of  August.  That  beautiful 
camp  by  the  lake,  where,  in  weariness,  poverty,  and 
heart-sickness  we  had  been  halted  for  four  days ; where 
we  renewed  our  supplies,  and  were  finally  inspirited  by 
a gentle  reprimand,  we  named  for  our  quartermaster, 
"Camp  Ebstein.”  Lieutenant  Ebstein’s  equanimity  had 
never  failed  him.  He  came  speedily  out  of  difficulties. 
This  name  headed  the  numerous  letters  and  reports  which 
left  this  neighborhood,  and  which,  like  water  coursing 
from  banks  of  snow  in  spring-time,  always  flow  from  a 
halted  camp. 


238 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


Oui'  column  looked  well.  Even  the  horses  had  picked 
up  a little,  and  the  movement  was  passably  brisk,  as  we 
wound  like  a silvery  serpent  around  the  lake,  and  passed 
through  the  mountain  gorge  to  new  fields,  and  dangers 
still  unknown. 


THE  NATIONAL  PARK. 


239 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

JOSEPH  AND  THE  PURSUIT.  — THE  NATIONAL  PARK.  — THE  GEY- 
SER PARTY.  — CONTINUED  INDIAN  OUTRAGES.  — THE  LAW- 
YER’S ACCOUNT.— THE  HOT  SPRINGS  AND  SULPHUR  PLAINS. 
—THE  GEYSERS.— THE  MUD  SPRINGS.- JOSEPH’S  HINDRANCES. 
— THE  TERRIBLE  TRAIL.  — THE  YELLOWSTONE  CROSSING. 

OFFICERS  and  men  were  naturally  enough  on  the  qui 
vive  as  our  little  pursuing  column  made  its  way  through 
the  western  gateway  and  rough  avenue  into  the  grand 
National  Park. 

The  smallness  and  sparseness  of  the  trees,  like  eastern 
maple-groves,  thinned  out  and  shorn  of  the  older  growth, 
were  the  first  things  noticeable.  The  level,  lengthy  open- 
ings, the  beautiful  mountain-streams,  the  dryish,  grassy 
bottoms  and  occasional  bubbles  of  land,  named  "buttes,” 
partly  dressed  with  trees,  — these,  for  the  first  three  days, 
afforded  a pleasant  change,  at  the  end  of  which  the  extra- 
ordinary Geyser  landscape,  with  its  vast  seas  of  almost 
barren  sulphur-crust,  burst  upon  our  view. 

Here  we  met  that  unfortunate  Geyser  party,  which 
caused  at  the  time  so  much  public  interest  on  account  of 
having  fallen,  during  a pleasure-trip,  into  the  hands  of 
the  hostile  Indians.  The  first  man  we  encountered,  breath- 
less, hatless,  almost  starved,  with  his  feet  wrapped  in  rags, 
was  so  wild  that  he  could  give  no  intelligible  account  of 
himself.  It  was  : "Three  Indians  fired  on  me,  and  I cot 

7 O 


240 


XEZ  FERCE  JOSEPH. 


away.  They  are  all  killed.  The  rest  all  killed  ! ” The 
next  one  was  Mr.  Oldham,  a tall,  stout  young  man,  with 
very  straight,  black  hair.  He  was  shot  through  both 
cheeks,  and  of  course  could  hardly  speak.  The  very  next 
day  we  encountered  the  third,  a lawyer,  Mr.  Cowan,  who 
was  twice  wounded,  and  left  on  the  ground  for  dead. 
Cowan  revived  so  much  as  to  be  able  to  explain  the  situa- 
tion and  give  important  information:  "The  Indians  sur- 
prised us.  Our  camp  was  not  far  from  here,  — over  there, 
where  the  broken  wagon  is.  At  first  they  treated  us 
kindly ; two  of  our  number  got  away  into  the  bushes 
when  the  Indians  fired  at  us  for  sport ; then  they  took  our 
horses.  Abandoning  me  while  unconscious,  they  carried 
off  my  wife  and  a young  lady,  her  sister,  and  their  brother." 

It  was  not  long  before  we  found  the  dead  body  of  the 
missing  one  of  this  party.  The  women  and  their  brother 
were  spared  by  Joseph,  and  were  afterward  rescued. 

Mr.  Cowan  succeeded  in  getting  home  to  find  his  wife 
dressed  in  mourning  for  him ; for  had  she  not  seen  him 
fall  under  the  ruthless  hand  of  the  savage,  and  left  him 
for  dead  on  the  ground?  Her  sudden  joy,  however,  was 
but  short-lived,  for  a relapse  set  in,  and  his  death  occurred 
shortly  after  his  return.* 

It  is  very  difficult  for  a frontier  family  thus  outraged, 
to  believe  much  in  "peace  measures”  with  Indians. 

Me  named  this  camp,  of  the  30th  of  August,  for  the 
wounded  lawyer,  "Camp  Cowan.”  Lieut.  Mood,  in  his 
notes,  called  it  the  "sulphurous  camp.” 

A woody  height,  or  butte,  just  to  the  south  of  us,  fur- 
nished a picket-post  with  a good  outlook.  North  of  this 

* An  army  officer  from  Montana  says  : the  report  of  Mr.  Cowan’s  death  is  an 
error;  he  is  still  living. 


THE  GEYSEES. 


241 


butte  "were  several  hot  springs  ; these  springs  were  only  a 
few  feet  across  the  mouth,  and  appeared  like  wells  of 
water.  They  betrayed  their  presence  by  constantly  send- 
ing up  clouds  of  steam. 

As  I sat  on  the  crest  of  the  picket’s  butte,  a barren 
sulphur  plain  stretched  off  southward,  presenting,  here 
and  there,  very  regular  mounds,  or  swells  of  ground,  of 
slight  elevation.  Here,  for  the  first  time,  my  eye  was 
delighted  by  the  curious  spectacle  of  those  water-spouts 
which  we  now  call  ’’geysers.”  I do  not  wonder  that  they 
are  named  as  if  they  had  life,  as  Giant,  Giantess.  Some 
of  them,  for  fifteen  minutes  at  a time,  would  throw  jets  of 
water  straight  up  into  the  air.  The  action  was  like  that 
of  a steam  fire-engine  with  its  hose,  the  nozzle  being  held 
erect ; the  important  difference  was  that  the  geyser  really 
propelled  a column  larger  than  a hogshead.  It  was  of 
course  the  distance  that  gave  these  geysers  the  appearance 
of  smaller  spoutings.  During  the  short  time  before  sun- 
set, after  our  arrival  in  camp,  officers  and  soldiers,  except 
the  pickets,  guard,  and  herders,  were  allowed  to  investi- 
gate these  strange  phenomena.  The  most  curious  results 
of  this  intense  chemical  action,  so  near  the  crust  as  to  be 
constantly  breaking  through  and  overflowing,  were  found 
also  in  occasional  deep  chasms,  at  the  bottom  of  which 
there  was  a muddy  fermentation  like  that  in  the  plasterer’s 
lime-bin  in  active  operation.  The  mud  was  of  various 
colors,  from  the  clayey  white,  through  varying  shades  of 
red,  purple,  and  brown,  to  the  blackest  muck. 

In  one  comer,  with  a crater-like  opening,  the  dark,  hot 
mud  was  in  perpetual  motion.  It  was  thrown  up,  and 
falling  back,  from  ten  to  twenty  feet,  produced  an  effect, 
16 


242 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


that  Dore  could  hardly  excel,  of  a pit  of  sulphurous  smoke 
and  darkness  and  noise,  not  easily  described. 

There  is  no  end  of  surprises  in  this  wonderful  park. 
Following  the  Indian’s  crooked  trail,  our  scouts,  after  the 
march  was  resumed,  led  us  of  a sudden  against  a moun- 
tain which  bristled  with  extensive  forests  of  small  trees. 
The  trees  had  been  killed  and  hardened  by  the  forest  fires, 
which  had  swept  hither  and  thither  through  them.  By  a 
zigzag  course  everything  in  the  command,  except  the 
wagons,  after  a moderate  amount  of  cutting  and  of  swing- 
ing to  one  side  the  fallen  logs,  managed  to  get  to  the 
mountain-top.  But  how  were  the  wagons  ever  to  be 
hauled  up  the  height  ? If  you  conceive  of  a man  so  con- 
stituted, broad-shouldered  and  deep-chested,  sufficiently 
tall,  as  to  have  a weight  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-five 
pounds  without  corpulency,  with  a bearing  such  as  to 
make  the  roughest  frontiersman  obey  his  slightest  com- 
mand, and  so  plucky  as  to  regard  obstacles  as  only 
made  to  be  overcome,  you  have  imaged  Major  Spurgin, 
of  the  Twenty-first  Infantry,  our  chief  of  the  pioneer 
battalion. 

While  we  camped  for  the  night,  just  beyond  the  beau- 
tiful Mary  Lake,  in  the  top  of  the  mountain,  a practical 
Avagon-road  was  made  by  Spurgin’s  pioneers,  and  the 
wagons  which  had  joined  us  in  Montana  were  brought  on, 
so  as  not  to  detain  the  march  of  the  next  day. 

We  were  next  in  camp  on  the  Yellowstone,  near  one 
of  those  noisy,  dirty,  heated  smoke-holes,  such  as  I have 
mentioned,  bearing  the  descriptive  name  of  "Muddy 
Springs.”  The  Yellowstone  bottom  broadens  out  in  this 
neighborhood,  giving  to  us  plenty  of  grass  and  a good  en- 


THE  TERRIBLE  TRAIL. 


243 


campment,  notwithstanding  the  immense  herds  of  Chief 
Joseph  which  had  here  just  preceded  us. 

We  received  news  at  this  point  from  Fisher,  in  the  shape 
of  a discharged  soldier  whom  the  Indians  had  captured, 
and  whom,  lagging  behind,  Fisher’s  scouts  had  recaptured 
and  brought  in.  He  pointed  out  the  direction  the  Indians 
had  taken.  They  crossed  the  Yellowstone,  and  went  up 
the  river  toward  the  Yellowstone  Lake,  quite  a distance, 
and  then  struck  off  along  a tributary  creek  in  the  direc- 
tion of  that  wonderful  river  with  an  odorous  name  — 
Stinking  Water ; and  then,  turning  square  to  the  left,  en- 
deavored, with  much  detention  and  loss  of  animals,  to 
make  their  way  through  a dense,  tangled  forest. 

They  left  the  Stinking- Water  trail,  doubtless,  because 
Joseph  heard  that  the  prairie  ahead  of  him  had  been  set 
on  tire  and  was  burning,  and  that  some  of  General  Crook’s 
troops  were  coming  up  from  that  direction.  By  this  in- 
formation my  command  was  saved  nearly  a hundred  miles 
of  the  circuitous  following,  the  toughest  journey  which 
this  pursuit  occasioned,  for  we  traced  the  chord  of  the 
arc  which  the  astute  young  chieftain  was  forced  to  de- 
scribe. 

Next  there  came  to  us  here  evidences  of  a Bannock 
treachery,  which  culminated  a year  later  in  the  murders 
and  outrages  of  the  Bannock  campaign. 

At  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  near  Mary  Lake,  where 
Spurgin  made  his  zigzag  road,  forty  horses  belonging  to 
citizen-teams,  which  were  doing  the  transporting  work  for 
us,  were  turned  out  to  graze.  During  the  night  these 
horses  all  mysteriously  disappeared.  The  quartermaster’s 
clerk,  encountering  some  Bannock  scouts,  who  had  suspi- 


244 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


ciously  lingered  in  the  rear,  was  treated  to  very  rough 
language  by  them.  I sent  at  once  a small  detachment  of 
mounted  soldiers,  who  soon  returned  to  camp  with  ten  of 
the  Indian  scouts  as  prisoners. 

Their  leader,  a half-breed,  and  brother  to  the  Raine 
who  had  desired  to  murder  old  George  and  Captain  John, 
was  cross  and  mutinous  in  his  manner  and  laniruaire.  I 
had  them  all  disarmed,  and  their  handsome  horses  and 
rifles  taken  from  them.  I found  also,  on  inquiry,  that  all 
the  Bannock  scouts,  except  one  or  two,  had  deserted  the 
brave  Fisher,  and  had  come  back  to  the  troops,  and  were 
planning  to  return  to  Fort  Hall. 

An  old  chief  of  the  tribe  soon  begged  of  me  to  let  the 
prisoners  go  free,  assuring  me  of  their  innocence.  I said, 
"What  you  say  may  be  true,  but  Indians  are  good  to  hunt 
horses.  They  follow  blind  trails  better  than  white  men. 
Send  out  some  of  your  young  men  and  look  up  my  lost 
horses.  I will  never  set  the  prisoners  free  till  the  horses 
are  brought  back.”  The  old  man  replied,  "Yes,  Indians 
good  to  hunt  horses.  I will  send  them.”  In  a few  hours 
twenty  of  the  horses  came  galloping  into  camp,  chased  by 
his  young  Indians.  Then,  with  the  old  man,  they  came 
to  me,  and  declared  that  these  twenty  were  all  they  could 
possibly  find.  I said,  "All  right:  I shall  never  let  the 
prisoners  go  till  I see  the  other  twenty  horses.”  The  old 
Indian  gave  a grunt  and  shrug  of  the  shoulders,  and  left 
me.  Soon  I saw  him  mounted,  and  then,  with  his  party, 
leave  camp.  That  night  the  remaining  twenty  horses 
overtook  us,  and  the  prisoners  were  released,  except  the 
leader,  Raine,  who  was  dispatched  as  a prisoner,  under 
escort,  to  Fort  Ellis. 


THE  YELLOWSTONE  CROSSING. 


245 


Under  our  new  guide,  the  discharged  soldier  brought 
in  from  Fisher,  whose  name  was  Irwin,  we  took  our 
course  across  a mountain-range ; we  pursued  a route  that 
our  guide  believed  would  be  a fair  wagon-road.  But, 
though  the  trail  did  lead  in  the  right  direction,  it  took  us 
over  such  fearful  steeps,  and  across  such  deep  and  rough 
ravines,  with  precipitous  hanks,  that  it  seemed  utterly 
hopeless  for  our  train  of  supplies  ever  to  get  through. 

One  canyon,  near  the  remarkable  Yellowstone  passes, 
called  the  "Devil’s  Canyon,”  proved  so  much  worse  than 
all  the  others,  that  my  heart  almost  failed  me  as,  with  the 
greatest  difficulty,  my  poor  horse  worried  his  way  into  the 
water-channel  and  up  the  crest  to  the  opposite  heights.  I 
said  to  myself,  "Impossible  for  wagons  !” 

These  difficulties  being  in  view,  the  troops  gave  up  the 
wagon-train  and  took  what  provisions  they  could  carry 
with  the  pack-train,  and  went  on  to  cross  the  Yellowstone 
at  Baronet’s  Bridge ; the  indomitable  Spurgin  was  to  get 
to  that  point  if  he  could,  and  then,  bearing  to  the  left,  go 
on  to  Fort  Ellis,  or,  if  that  was  impracticable,  turn  back 
and  go  to  Ellis  by  another  and  much  longer  way.  It  was 
not  till  after  the  campaign  was  over  that  I found,  to 
my  gratification,  that  Spurgin  had  actually  made  a Avagon- 
road,  and  brought  his  teams  over  the  seemingly  impassable 
chasms,  including  the  DeA'il’s  Canyon,  as  far  as  Baronet’s 
Bridge,  and  proceeded  thence  directly  to  Fort  Ellis.  So 
much  for  will,  energy,  and  Avork  ! 

At  the  river-crossing  the  hostile  Indians  Avere  already 
abreast  of  us,  on  the  other  side  of  the  Yellowstone,  and 
our  scouts  found  too  abundant  eAudence  of  their  usual 
murder  and  rapine  for  twenty  miles  doAvn  the  river  to  the 


246 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


Mammoth  Falls,  where  a raiding  party  from  Chief  Joseph 
had  met  and  robbed  some  wagons,  and  burned  a store. 

The  Baronet’s  Bridge,  a slight  structure,  stretched 
across  the  roaring  torrent  of  the  Yellowstone,  had  its 
further  end  so  much  burned  by  the  raiders  that  it  had 
fallen  out  of  place,  and  was  not  passable  ; so  that  we  were 
allowed  to  rest  three  hours,  long  enough  to  repair  the 
broken  bridge. 


baronet’s  bridge. 


247 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

JOSEPH  AND  HIS  PURSUIT.  — OUR  WHEREABOUTS.  — BARONET’S 
BRIDGE.  — ENGINEERING  UNDER  DIFFICULTIES. —THE  MAM- 
MOTH FALLS SWINGING  ROUND  THE  CIRCLE. —SUPPLIES 

FROM  FORT  ELLIS. -SODA-BUTTE  CANYON.  — SILVER  MINES. 
— A GENTLEMAN  SCOUT.  — LODGE-POLE  TRAIL.  — HEART- 
RENDING OUTRAGES.  — A WARRIOR  CAUGHT  AND  SCALPED 
BY  OUR  INDIANS. 

IX  order  to  show  where  we  were  on  the  morning  of 
September  6th,  and  where  is  Baronet’s  Bridge,  we 
will  again  invite  the  reader’s  attention  to  the  map. 
Find  the  south-eastern  point  of  the  grand  National  Park, 
then  run  the  eye  up  the  Yellowstone  about  twenty  miles, 
and  you  have  the  location.  Our  bridge  has  just  been 
finished ; the  beams,  shortened  by  the  fire,  were  tied  to 
some  heavy  timber  that  was  fortunately  on  hand.  Mr. 
Baronet’s  house,  the  only  one  we  had  seen  since  Henry 
Lake,  stood  a few  hundred  yards  away,  on  Joseph’s  side 
of  the  river.  It  was  appraised  at  three  hundred  dollars, 
and  much  of  its  lumber  was  brought  to  the  river,  for  re- 
planking. The  bridge,  which  was  probably  fifty  feet  above 
the  water,  extended  from  bank  to  bank,  had  but  one  inter- 
mediary support,  and  that  fearfully  near  to  demolition. 
As  the  first  animals  were  started  across  the  patched-up 
structure  it  trembled,  and  swung  laterally  very  percep- 
tibly, but  by  a little  setting  of  teeth,  and  what  a Chicago 


248 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


orator  called  " clear  grit,”  on  the  part  of  our  improvised 
bridgemen,  — standing  as  they  did,  on  the  shore,  crouching 
and  peeping  under  to  watch  the  shaky  pier  and  the  ropes, 
and  ever  calling  out,  till  they  were  hoarse,  " Why  don’t 
you  go  on  there  ? She  is  all  right ; them  men  mustn’t  step 
together,”  — in  the  short  space  of  half  an  hour  the  work 
was  done ; led  horses,  loaded  pack-mules,  and  marching 
men  had  crossed  the  flood.  I think  we  must  have  real- 
ized something  of  the  feeling  of  the  Israelites  when  they 
had  reached  the  other  shore  of  the  Red  Sea  and  looked 
back.  This  joy  at  a great  obstacle  overcome,  is,  indeed, 
a living  force  in  leading  men  on  to  success. 

At  the  Mammoth  Falls,  twenty  miles  below,  where  the 
store  was  burned, — probably  a small  hut  for  Indian  trading, 
— there  were  signs  that  Gilbert’s  Cavalry  had  been  there, 
and  suddenly  departed.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gilbert,  with 
two  companies,  came  so  near  as  that  to  forming  junction 
with  us ; but  the  proximity  of  the  Indian  raiding-party, 
and  want  of  knowledge  of  our  whereabouts,  swung  him 
olf,  by  a remarkable  detour,  a hundred  miles  to  our  rear, 
where,  upon  our  trail,  he  pursued  us  for  days,  till  his 
horses  were  exhausted,  and  his  command  worn  out  with 
the  chase.  He  finally,  in  weariness,  turned  back  to  Fort 
Ellis. 

Cushing,  whom  I had  sent  with  foot  and  horse,  on 
arriving  at  Fort  Ellis,  had  been  shorn  of  his  cavalry  to 
reinforce  Gilbert ; yet  he  bravely  took  up  his  supplies, 
and  pressed  his  remnant,  now  but  two  foot  companies, 
down  by  the  Crow  Agency,  in  order  to  head  oft’  Joseph, 
when  that  Indian  should  emerge  from  the  mountain  gaps 
into  the  valley  of  Clark’s  Fork.  Cushing  did  not  sue- 


SODA-BUTTE  CANYON. 


249 


ceed  in  anticipating  the  Indians,  but  he  brought  up  the 
supplies  in  time  to  prevent  any  delay  of  the  pursuit  by 
our  main  body.  Clark's  Fork  cuts  the  Yellowstone  after 
its  big  bend,  and  forms  almost  the  only  practicable  cross- 
ing in  that  quarter. 

As  we  wound  along  the  sharply-marked  tributary  val- 
leys, which  here  run  at  right  angles  to  the  yawning 
river,  we  found  a bevy  of  mounted  frontiersmen  watching 
us  from  knolls  and  heights  which  were  in  plain  view  to 
our  left.  Cautiously  the  horsemen  approached,  and,  at 
first,  showed  a singular  reluctance  to  join  us,  or  commu- 
nicate. The  partisan  leader  is  apt  to  dislike  the  regu- 
lars, is  probably  jealous  of  his  independence.  At  last 
I learned  that  the  greater  portion  of  the  hostiles  were 
thirty  miles  from  us,  trying  to  make  their  way  among 
the  mountains  and  forests  to  Clark’s  Fork.  The3r  were 
avoiding  the  Soda-Butte  Canyon,  which  is  a shorter  cut 
across  a mountain  range  that  rises  more  and  more  grandly 
to  the  left  of  our  pathway. 

This  Soda-Butte  Canyon  in  itself  afforded  a magnificent 
picture.  The  little  land  bubble,  which  has  some  symp- 
toms of  soda  about  it,  lifted  itself  at  the  entrance  to  the 
canyon. 

Select  grass,  a variety  of  small  trees,  a mountain  stream, 
clear,  shallow,  and  stony,  and  then  a gradual  rising  by 
slopes,  steppes,  and  precipitous  evergreen  acclivities,  to 
the  right  and  left,  and  finally,  old  castellated  formations, 
towering  above  you  from  two  to  three  thousand  feet  in 
height,  and  with  your  avenue  through  them, — by  compar- 
ison as  narrow  as  Thermopylae,  — select  these  features, 


250 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


and  arrange  them  with  the  artist’s  skill ; thus  you  may 
give  a faint  picture  of  this  wonderful  region. 

Judge  of  our  joy  to  find  at  the  famous  Soda-Butte 
Silver-mine,  near  the  back  entrance  to  this  canyon,  some 
twenty  miners,  still  hovering  about  their  new  crushing- 
mill,  resolute  and  well-armed,  ready  to  defend  then- 
treasure  with  their  lives.  George  Houston,  now  one  of 
the  miners,  was  a favorite,  and  already  celebrated  guide. 
A man  who,  when  we  discussed  him  at  our  mess-table, 
drew  out  the  cream  of  language,  as,  " He's  a natural-born 
gentleman,”  "He  is  full  of  interesting  anecdote,”  "I’ve 
never  heard  him  use  an  oath,”  "I  never  knew  a more 
genial  companion,”  "What  he  don’t  know  about  this 
vast  wilderness  isn’t  worth  knowing,”  " You  cannot  beat 
him  in  hunting  game.”  In  fact,  our  messmates  along  the 
subsequent  marches  took  turns  in  studying  this  new 
volume  of  human  nature ; for  Houston  and  all  his  com- 
panions were  employed  to  scout  the  country,  and,  if  pos- 
sible, bring  us  upon  Joseph  before  he  could  get  past  the 
point  where  we  should  debouche  into  the  before-men- 
tioned Clark’s  Fork  Valley. 

Indeed,  we  made  a run  for  this  point ; but  fortune,  or 
Providence,  was  against  us.  The  Indians’  big  trail,  now 
in  plain  view,  swept  down  the  valley,  and  not  a soul  was 
in  sight  for  ten  miles  and  more. 

George  Houston  knew  a curious  path  just  beyond  the 
Indians  course,  and  shorter,  which  had  the  significant 
name  of  " Lodge-pole  trail.”  Away  we  went  then  to  fol- 
low where  the  Crows  fled  from  the  victorious  Sioux,  and 
strewed  their  narrow  forest  road  with  lodge-poles,  which, 


HEART-RENDING  OUTRAGES.  251  / 

nicely  peeled  and  pierced,  indicated  their  previous  wealth. 

The  scouts,  many  of  them  who  had  fresh  horses,  followed 
the  hostiles  directly  for  thirty  miles  around,  while  we 
accomplished  the  twenty-five  across. 

The  terrible  work  of  our  enemy  was  developed  by  the 
scouts.  Four  miners  were  encamped  in  the  valley.  They 
had  horses,  guns,  mining  implements,  in  brief,  their  all, 
with  them.  Three,  begging  for  their  lives,  were  killed 
outright,  while  one,  a young  German,  a recent  immi- 
grant, dreadfully  wounded,  and  losing  everything  he  had 
in  the  world,  escaped.  How  my  heart  ached  for  him  as 
he  tried,  in  broken  English,  to  make  me  understand  his 
deplorable  situation.  A part  of  our  white  scouts,  having 
with  them,  I think,  one  or  two  Indians,  coming  suddenly 
upon  Joseph's  last  bivouac,  at  the  foot  of  a broad  moun- 
tain ascent,  surprised  and  killed  and  scalped  an  old,  ail- 
ing warrior,  who  had  been  left  behind  by  Joseph  that 
morning.  Twice  before  had  our  scouts  committed  a sim- 
ilar savagery.  It  is  hard  to  make  them  understand  any 
other  war  principle  than  "a  scalp  for  a scalp.” 

Perhaps,  as  the  Quakers  allege,  the  inconsistencies  are 
all  with  us,  who  profess  to  be  a Christian  people.  If  we 
do  not  believe  in  the  savage  operations  of  war,  in  taking 
life  for  life,  property  for  property,  in  giving  deceit  for 
deceit,  and  in  the  inflictions  of  extreme  injuries  and  pen- 
alties, why  do  we  set  the  example  ? 

However  we,  who  are  the  nations  soldiers,  may  stum- 
ble over  troublesome  queries  such  as  these,  still  we  cer- 
tainly do  like  to  keep  pace  with  civilized  nations  in  miti- 
gating the  horrors  and  evils  of  war  as  much  as  lies  in  our 


252 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


power.  The  taking  of  life  may  be  necessary,  but  the 
savage  triumph,  and  the  savage  tokens  of  triumph,  such 
as  fingers  cut  off,  and  scalps  severed  from  the  heads  of 
the  dead  and  the  dying,  are  certainly  not.  They  fill  our 
breasts  with  horror ! 


STURGIS’  SCOUTS. 


253 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

JOSEPH  ANT)  THE  PURSUIT.  — STURGIS’  SCOUTS.  — GOOD  NEWS.— 
A PROBLEM  FOR  PHILANTHROPISTS.  — ILVRT’S  MOUNTAIN.— 
JOSEPH’S  CONSUMMATE  GENERALSHIP.  — A SMALL  HOLE.— 
JUNCTION  WITH  STURGIS.  — THE  GAME  IN  SIGHT.  — A GAL- 
LANT CHARGE.  — THE  THIEVING  CROWS.  — COLONEL  MER- 
RILL. — “WE’VE  STRUCK  THE  ENEMY.”  — STURGIS’  BATTLE- 
FIELD.—THE  DARKNESS  AND  SWAMPS.  — A SICKENING  SIGHT. 
— PURSUIT. 

IT  was  during  this  march  from  the  Soda-Butte  mines  to 
the  foot  of  Clark’s  Mountain  that  we  were  watched 
by  three  unique,  distinctive  persons,  — a jolly  half-breed, 
more  French  than  Indian,  an  Indian  of  the  Crow  Nation, 
and  a veritable,  though  timorous,  American.  They  were 
couriers  from  General  Sturgis,  who  had  ensconced  them- 
selves near  the  summit  of  different  sightly  hills,  till  they 
had  obtained  unmistakable  signs  that  our  moving  men 
were  not  Indians. 

We  were  delighted  to  find  that  Sturgis,  with  six  or 
seven  companies  of  the  Seventh  Cavalry,  was  within  fifty 
miles  of  us,  and  that  the  hostile  Indians  were  surely  be- 
tween us  and  Sturgis.  The  latter,  when  the  couriers  left 
him,  was  just  about  to  move  to  " Hart’s  Mountain,”  with 
a view  to  block  the  only  practicable  pathway  which  led 
from  us  to  the  mouth  of  " Clark’s  Fork.” 

It  would  be  gratifying,  indeed,  if  Sturgis  only  could 
know  that  our  force  was  so  near.  His  messengers  had 

O 


254 


NEZ  PEECE  JOSEPH. 


come  out,  not  to  meet  our  column,  but  to  warn  the 
miners ; for  none  of  my  later  couriers  had  succeeded  in 
reaching  his  camp. 

It  was  the  10th  of  September,  at  dawn.  Our  small 
force  scattering  out,  and  leading  up  their  horses  a short 
distance  at  a time,  near  the  fresh  Indian-trail,  began  in 
earnest  the  ascent  of  the  mountain. 

"This  is  hard  work,”  says  Mason.  "I  don’t  know 
which  is  the  worse,  for  me  to  walk,  or  for  my  poor  trem- 
bling horse  to  carry  me.” 

Fletcher,  pretty  well  " blown,”  sits  down  with  bridle  in 
hand,  and  noticing  the  dead  or  half-alive  ponies,  with  an 
occasional  deceased  mule,  which  the  hostiles  had  killed 
and  abandoned  in  their  haste,  exclaims  : 

"What  a pity  General  Sturgis  could  not  have  known 
of  this  trail,  and  moved  to  yonder  crest ! The  worn  out 
rascals  would  have  fallen  an  easy  prey  to  his  force  and 
ours.” 

" True ; but  one  must  be  behind  the  scenes  to  know 
everything.” 

This  conversation  indicates  the  situation.  At  the  crest 
of  the  toilsome  ridge  an  immense  expanse  of  mountains, 
hills,  valleys,  and  rivers  broke  upon  our  vision.  An  aide 
declared,  "We’re  out  of  the  woods,  at  last ! ” 

Hart  Mountain,  ten  or  twelve  miles  straight  before  us, 
is  a single  elevated  peak.  There  we  supposed  Sturgis, 
with  his  cavalry,  was  waiting ; or  that  he  had  already,  as 
Joseph,  with  his  people  and  herds,  was  attempting  to  pass, 
broken  out  upon  the  hostile  flank. 

Fletcher,  with  Chapman  and  Roque,  the  little  French- 
man who  came  from  Sturgis,  set  out  at  once  for  Hart 


JUNCTION  WITH  STURGIS. 


255 


Mountain,  while  our  expert  signal-men  began  to  wave 
their  flag's  furiously  toward  the  mountain,  and  watched 
with  strained  eyes,  with  telescope  and  field-glass,  for  some 
return  signal.  But  it  was  all  in  vain.  General  Sturgis, 
we  afterwards  found,  getting  information  that  the  Indians 
were  going  toward  the  " Stinking  Water,”  and  probably 
misled  by  some  treacherous  Crows,  had  made  a forced 
march  off  to  our  right  in  that  direction,  just  at  the  oppor- 
tune moment,  i.  e.,  opportune  for  Joseph  and  his  follow- 
ers. With  consummate  generalship  the  latter  made  a regu- 
lar feint  towards  the  odorous  water,  while  he  plunged 
into  a forest  which,  to  us,  was  apparently  thick  and 
impassable,  and,  under  its  cover,  kept  around  the  base 
of  an  immense  ledge,  and  then  passed  into  a narrow  and 
slippery  canyon,  without  exposing  a man  to  the  view  of 
General  Sturgis.  My  command,  discovering  Joseph’s 
ruse,  kept  the  trail  which  Sturgis  had  been  so  near,  but 
had  not  seen,  and,  finally,  slid  down  the  canyon,  many  a 
horse,  in  his  weakness,  falling  and  blocking  the  way.  The 
mouth  of  this  canyon,  which  debouches  into  Clark’s  Val- 
ley, was  not  more  than  twenty  feet  across  from  high  wall 
to  high  wall.  And  one  may  imagine  the  scene  of  cavalry, 
infantry,  and  pack-mules  crowding  through  it,  and  ad- 
mire the  quick  wit  of  an  Indian  who  had  the  hardihood  to 
try  the  experiment,  and  break  the  almost  impassable 
roadway. 

Near  our  second  encampment  from  this  point,  Sturgis, 
who  had  at  last  turned  back,  and  beholding  our  force  in 
the  distance,  had  been  wondering  who  we  were,  soon,  by 
a rapid  movement,  overtook  us.  Though  Sturgis  and  I 
were  disappointed,  we  formed  at  once  a close  combina- 


256 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


tion.  I was  delighted  to  observe  the  elastic  tread  of  his 
horses,  which  could  in  a very  few  minutes  walk  away 
from  ours.  Noticing  the  general’s  feeling  of  disappoint- 
ment at  Joseph’s  adroit  escape,  and  also  believing  that 
this  feeling  would  be  a spur  to  extraordinary  exertion,  he 
was  given  a slight  addition  to  his  force,  — some  scouts, 
artillery,  and  cavalry,  picking  the  horses,  — and  placed 
in  command  of  the  swift  advance ; while  I confess  with 
considerable  reluctance,  and  much  protest  by  Wood  and 
Guy  against  it,  I myself  remained  behind  to  form  junc- 
tion with  Cushing,  who  was  coming  from  our  left,  and  to 
bring  up  the  reserve  and  supplies.  But  my  personal 
chagrin  at  Joseph’s  success  was  soon  relieved.  After 
Sturgis  had  crossed  the  Yellowstone  by  the  South-Fork 
road,  and  reached  the  heights  beyond,  the  Indians,  near 
the  mouth  of  a rocky  canyon-head,  five  or  six  miles  off, 
it  is  true,  were  before  him  in  full  view.  The  sight  of  the 
game,  we  know,  is  inspiriting.  I need  not  say  that  he 
charged  the  foe  and  fought  a gallant  battle,  and  had  a 
running  squabble  with  them  through  the  canyons  and 
rocky  barrens,  even  to  the  Musselshell.  He  captured 
hundreds  of  ponies,  and  delighted  not  a few  of  his  Crow 
allies  with  the  opportunity  afforded  them  to  steal.  It 
seemed  to  matter  little  to  them  whether  they  took  from 
Indians  or  white  men.  They  were  made  happy  just  to 
steal ! 

It  was  in  this  Clark’s  Yalley  where  was  drawn  up  and 
sent  to  General  Miles,  who  wuis  then  located  far  below  our 
front,  at  Tongue  River,  the  letter  which  was  to  apprise 
him  of  the  situation.  Colonel  Merrill,  of  Sturgis’  com- 
mand, seeing  me  about  to  send  a messenger,  said : 


STURGIS’  BATTLE-FIELD. 


257 


"Why  not  use  a boat  clown  the  Yellowstone?” 

" Sure  enough,”  I replied,  "if  we  can  find  one.” 

The  boat  was  found,  and  the  despatches  were  sent,  in 
duplicate,  by  boat  and  by  a horseman.  Some  twelve  or 
fifteen  miles  from  the  ford  — I had  just  come  into  camp 
the  evening  of  the  13th  of  September — I received  a brief 
note  from  Fletcher,  who  had  gone  with  Sturgis  : 

" We  have  struck  the  enemy,”  he  said,  " and  are  fight- 
ing.” 

I rested  from  six  to  nine  at  night,  and  then,  with  fifty 
cavalrymen,  set  out.  It  was  a bitter-cold  night.  In  the 
darkness  and  swamps  our  guide  soon  lost  his  head,  and 
we  were  obliged  to  pick  our  own  difficult  way  without  his 
help.  Chilled  through  and  shivering,  at  last  the  tired 
escort  wore  out  the  night.  At  sunrise  we  crossed  the 
Yellowstone,  and  reached  the  battle-field  by  half-past  ten 
in  the  morning. 

It  was  the  most  horrible  of  places,  — sage-brush  and 
dirt,  and  only  alkaline- water,  and  very  little  of  that ! 
Dead  horses  were  strewn  about,  and  other  relics  of  the 
battle-field ! A few  wounded  men  and  the  dead  were 
there.  To  all  this  admixture  of  disagreeable  things  was 
added  a cold,  raw  wind,  that,  unobstructed,  swept  over 
the  country.  Surely  if  anything  was  needed  to  make  us 
hate  war  such  after-battle  scenes  come  well  in  play. 

Sturgis  and  Sandford,  already  twenty  miles  further  on, 
were  declared  to  be  in  hot  pursuit.  But  as  the  Indians, 
who  were  running  night  and  day,  and  still  had  remounts, 
had  managed  to  outstrip  Sturgis  and  get  away  beyond 
hope  from  his  movement,  my  only  remaining  chance  of 
ultimate  success  lay  in  my  confidence  that  General  Miles, 
17 


258 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


now  notified,  with  his  fresh  command,  would  strike  diag- 
onally across  our  front,  and  reach  the  Missouri  before  the 
hostiles.  Should  they  succeed  in  crossing  that  river,  the 
British  line  was  too  near  to  afford  much  prospect  of  there- 
after dealing  a successful  blow.  So  Sturgis  was  requested 
to  rest  for  a while  at  the  Musselshell,  till  I had  gathered 
the  remainder  of  my  somewhat  scattered  troops  upon  the 
left  bank  of  the  Yellowstone.  Then  we  would  move  for- 
ward together. 


baker’s  battle-ground. 


259 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

JOSEPH  AND  THE  PURSUIT.— BAKER’S  BATTLE-GROUND.— WEL- 
COME SUPPLIES.  — NEWS  FROM  GILBERT.— INTERCHANGE  OF 
VIEWS.— CAPTURE  OF  THE  MAIL-COACH.  — JOSEPH’S  PEOPLE 
IN  A NEW  ROLE. — OUR  CAMP  LIBRARY.  — MAJOR  EARNEST’S 
QUICK  JOURNEY.— A BEAUTIFUL  CAMP.— NEWS  FROM  MILES. 

— FEAR  LEST  WE  “FLUSH  THE  GAME.”  — JUDITH  BASIN.— 
ON  TOWARD  THE  BRITISH  LINE.  — HOPING  AGAINST  HOPE.— 
THE  INDIANS  ACROSS  THE  MISSOURI.  — MILES’  COURTESY. 

— STEAMER  “ BENTON.”  — SAND-BARS.  — A TOUGH,  COLD  RIDE. 

— SUTHERLAND’S  COAT.  — WOOD’S  BUFFALO.  — BEAR-PAW 
MOUNTAINS. 

IT  was  a charming  place,  on  the  bank  of  the  Yellow- 
stone, some  ten  miles  below  the  Clark’s  Fork  cross- 
ing, where  the  escort,  Mason,  Cushing,  Sandford,  and 
Lieutenant  Otis,  with  the  Battery,  came  together.  We 
were  to  push  down  the  Yellowstone  to  the  old  Baker’s 
Battlefield,  — a ground  already  known  as  the  place  of  a 
fierce  engagement,  several  years  before,  with  the  wild 
Sioux.  We  were  to  meet  some  of  our  supplies  of  cloth- 
ing and  food,  coming  thither  from  Colonel  Buell’s  post, 
which  "was  forty  miles  to  the  south,  and  turning  square 
to  the  left  rejoin  Sturgis  at  the  Musselshell,  and  then 
follow  to  the  Missouri.  We  trusted  to  General  Miles  to 
deliver  one  more  blow  to  the  swift-footed  hostiles. 

Our  Yellowstone  camp,  at  which  a part  of  us  remained 
a whole  day,  the  16th  of  September,  became  a lively 


one. 


260 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


Here  a note  from  Colonel  Gilbert,  explaining  his  futile 
chase  of  us,  was  received.  Here,  as  we  sat  on  the  ground, 
around  our  square  canvas,  each  contributed  something  to 
the  news. 

Fletcher  described  Sturgis’  battle  and  pursuit.  I 
asked : 

"Why  didn’t  the  artillery  do  something?” 

" Oh,  General,  horses  so  played  out  that  one  piece 
never  got  up,  and  the  other  only  succeeded  in  putting  in 
one  shot ! ” 

" Why  didn’t  the  General  head  them  off  in  the  can- 
yon?” 

" Why,  the  rocks  were  too  precipitous ; but  the  trial 
was  made.  The  Indians  were  off  before  we  could  get  in 
there  and  hinder  them.” 

" What  has  Mason  to  say  ? ” 

"Not  much.  I found  Cushing-  all  right.  He  was 
vexed  enough  because  Norwood  (commanding  the  cav- 
alry company)  was  taken  away  from  him  at  Fort  Ellis, 
and  all  soi’ts  of  hindrances  were  thrown  in  his  way.” 

" Did  any  couriers  come  up  ? ” 

"Yes,  sir;  that  fellow  whom  you  sent  to  Sturgis  did 
not  go  to  him  at  all,  but  went  to  the  Crow  Agency,  and 
he  is  now  back.  He  doubtless  saw  those  messengers 
and  scouts  who  were  lying  dead  along  the  Indian  trail 
near  Hart’s  Mountain,  became  frightened,  and  so  made 
off.” 

"What  have  Wood  and  Howard  to  say  about  the  peo- 
ple who  ran  from  us  so  rapidly  this  morning?” 

"I  think,  General,”  says  Wood,  "the  scouts  have  over- 
taken them,  and  they  have  come  back.  At  first  they 


MAJOR  EARNEST’S  QUICK  JOURNEY. 


261 


took  us  for  Indians.  Another  party  was  hidden  in  the 
brush,  one  of  them  being  a woman.  These,  some  of 
them,  are  ranchmen,  and  some  were  passengers  on  the 
coach  that  Joseph  captured.  The  Indians  were  at  this 
very  place  when  Sturgis’  scouts  first  discovered  them. 
The  sisrht  of  him  made  them  leave. 

O 

My  son  said  : " I Avent  as  far  as  the  second  house  below. 
The  buildings  were  burned  to  the  oround.  The  remnants 

O C 

of  the  old  stage-coach  were  lying  around.  The  Indians, 
I learned,  in  wild  sport,  took  an  active  drive  in  the  coach 
before  they  dismantled  it  and  destroyed  the  mails.” 

Such  are  specimens  of  the  table-chat.  Of  course  there 
was  fun  as  well  as  serious  talk ; but,  habitually  the 
songs,  the  stories,  and  the  jokes  had  their  place  after 
the  dinner. 

It  is  said  of  President  Lincoln,  that  his  enjoyment  of 
humor  was  his  safety-valve,  hence  his  desire  to  attend 
comedies  and  joyous  entertainments.  Under  the  pressure 
of  heavy  care  and  constant  bodily  fatigue,  our  officers 
found  their  relief  in  a social  way  ; but  more  especially  in 
occasionally  reading  books  of  an  exciting  character.  We 
had  but  few ; but  by  borrowing  and  lending,  our  camp 
library  sufficed  us  for  some  time. 

This  was  a prairie-like  country,  much  of  it  very  dry 
and  dusty,  but  vast  in  appearance.  Low  mountain-ranges 
afforded  here  and  there  landmarks  in  the  distance.  In 
order  to  show  wdiat  energy  can  do,  I may  tell  how  Major 
Earnest  left  the  Yellowstone  camp  the  16th,  rode  fifty- 
seven  miles,  obtained  teams  with  supplies,  and  drove  them 
back  thirty-seven  miles  to  a junction  with  us  before  ten 
p.  m.  of  the  next  day  ; and  how  Fletcher  and  Otis,  by 


262 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


remarkable  forced  marches,  brought  up  further  necessaries 
to  the  moving  column. 

The  20th  found  us  in  camp  a few  miles  below  General 
Sturgis,  on  the  Musselshell.  It  was  a beautiful  camp,  on 
a fine  plateau,  like  an  oasis  in  the  vast  treeless  desert, 
adorned  with  handsome  shrubbery,  abundant  grass,  clear 
running  water,  with  fish  plentiful  enough  for  every  sol- 
dier’s mess. 

Here  it  was  that  we  received  the  return  messenger  from 
General  Miles,  who  was  stationed  at  Tongue  River.  Mer- 
ril,  one  of  Sturgis’  battalion-commanders,  a lively  officer, 
inclined  to  be  prophetic,  was  looking  over  the  maps  of 
this  country  before  Miles’  messenger  arrived.  He  said, 
"Miles  is  ambitious.  He  will  start  at  once  and  head 
Joseph  off  before  he  gets  to  the  Missouri.  I know  the 
country.”  Then,  pointing  out  a diagonal  course,  which 
extended  from  Tongue  river  to  near  Carroll  on  the  Mis- 
souri, he  said,  "He  will  go  across  there  ! He  will  never 
allow  such  an  opportunity  for  a brigadiership  to  escape 
him.”  I said,  "Yes,  if  he  gets  his  message  in  time.”  A 
few  hours  later,  glad,  hearty  tidings  from  Miles  did  come. 
He  promised  to  move  at  once,  and  indicated  how  long  it 
would  take  him  to  accomplish  the  march. 

I know  of  no  period  of  my  life  when  I needed  sym- 
pathy and  encouragement  more.  These  dispatches,  from 
a brave  officer  and  a tried  friend,  were  full  of  cheer,  and 
I shall  never  forget  the  lift  they  gave  me,  nor  grudge  to 
him  a grateful  acknowledgment  for  them. 

Our  movement  was  much  enlivened,  not  only  by  this 
news,  but  by  the  presence  of  the  Seventh  Cavalry,  under 
the  command  of  Sturgis.  It  spurred  up  our  way-worn 


ON  TOWARD  THE  BRITISH  LINE. 


263 


command,  and  helped  it  to  keep  in  sight  of  our  new 
friends ; but,  as  Sturgis  declared  in  one  of  his  notes  to 
me,  "We  must  not  move  too  fast,  lest  we  flush  the  game.” 
So  I recognized  the  necessity,  and  for  a time  moderated 
the  rate  of  marching. 

We  knew  from  a long  experience,  that  the  Indians 
watched  well  to  the  rear,  and  moved  very  much  as  we  did, 
keeping  one  and  two  and  sometimes  three  marches  ahead. 
When  we  stopped  to  rest  they  did  so,  when  we  moved 
short  distances  they  shortened  their  journeys ; therefore 
we  planned  for  the  same  operation  to  continue.  Mean- 
while I endeavored,  through  our  numerous  scouts,  to  keep 
informed  where  the  Indians  actually  were. 

On  the  Twenty-seventh  Sandford’s  weary  cavalry,  now 
being  replaced  by  Sturgis’,  bade  us  good-bye  just  as  we 
were  entering  the  famous  Judith  basin. 

Robbins,  and  nearly  all  of  our  old  scouts  went  back. 
George  Houston,  the  National-park  guide,  with  his  com- 
panions, continued  with  us,  and  followed  the  Indians,  as 
he  believed,  very  closely.  Then,  in  this  broad  and  open 
country,  trails  began  to  diverge,  multiply,  and  grow  dim. 
Between  Houston  and  the  mouth  of  Judith  River,  where 
it  flows  into  the  Missouri,  thousands  of  acres  of  the  prai- 
rie were  on  fire,  and  so,  on  reaching  it,  the  new  trails 
were  annihilated.  Great  uncertainty,  for  the  want  of  in- 
formation, began  to  press  upon  me,  but  I had  resolved  to 
go  at  least  as  far  as  the  Missouri,  and  carry  out  my  orders 
"To  chase  the  Indians  to  the  British  lines.” 

One  day  Colonel  Mason  and  Doctor  Alexander  were 
riding  near  me.  I had  in  my  heart  earnestly  petitioned 
for  God’s  help,  expressing  a sentiment  that  I hope  was 


264 


NEZ  rEIiCE  JOSEm. 


sincere : "If  thou  wilt  grant  my  request,  do  so,  I beseech 
Thee,  even  at  the  expense  of  another’s  receiving  the  credit 
of  the  expedition.” 

I said  to  Mason,  as  my  spirits  grew  lighter  : "Colonel, 
I believe  that  we  shall  capture  these  Indians  yet.” 

Alexander  asked,  with  a hearty  laugh,  "What  is  more 
hopeless?  There  isn’t  one  chance  in  a million  for  Miles. 
I cannot  see,  General,  where  you  found  your  hope.” 
"All  right,”  I answered,  "mark  my  words,  and  see  if  I 
am  not  right ! ” 

Mason  hoped,  with  a slight  despondency  of  tone,  that 
my  prediction  might  prove  true.  It  was  not  long  after 
this  conversation  before  some  message-bearers  hove  in 
sight.  We  had  not  met  horse  or  man  for  several  days  ; 
a manifest  excitement  quickened  the  motion  of  the  entire 
command  as  two  horsemen  were  discerned  coming  on  at  a 
steady  gallop,  and  every  moment  approaching  nearer. 

"Well ! what  news?” 

"A  dispatch  from  Fort  Benton  for  General  Howard  or 
Colonel  Gibbon.”  The  courier  dismounted,  and  handed 
me  a note.  It  informed  me  that  the  Indians  had  crossed 
the  Missouri  at  Cow  Island,  had  a fight  with  some  of  Gib- 
bon’s men,  burnt  a freight-train  of  wagons,  but  had  all 
moved  over  and  gone.  Miles  reached  the  mouth  of  the 
Musselshell,  twenty  miles  or  more  below,  crossed  the 
Missouri  there,  and  is  still  in  pursuit.  Such  in  substance 
was  the  startling  information  brought. 

It  did  not  take  us  long  to  pass  the  next  fifty  or  sixty 
miles  to  Carroll.  Here,  leaving  headquarters  and  part  of 
my  command  with  Sturgis  and  Mason,  I took  passage  on 
the  little  steamer  "Benton”,  which,  doubtless  by  General 


A TOUGH,  COLD  RIDE. 


265 


Miles’  kind  provision,  was  tied  to  the  shore,  and  made 
subject  to  my  orders. 

The  Artillery  battalion  under  Miller,  also  my  two  aides 
and  a few  scouts,  sprang  on  board. 

We  steamed  up  the  river  as  rapidly  as  possible.  The 
Missouri  is  shallow  at  the  season  when  we  were  there,  and 
our  vessel  often  ran  aground.  I was  curious  to  see  how 
the  river  could  be  navigated  with  so  little  water.  Soon 
I noticed  that  when  the  steamer  struck  a sand-bar,  as  she 
often  did,  that  she  put  out  her  immense  wooden  arms, 
which  are  vitalized  by  a steam  windlass,  and  lifted  herself, 
little  by  little,  over  into  deep  water. 

Cow  Island  was  reached  early  the  next  day.  With  a 
small  escort  of  seventeen  mounted  men,  including  the 
aides,  I made  a push  along  the  large  Indian  trail,  with  the 
hope  of  reaching  Miles,  or  communicating  with  him. 
Dispatches  which  I had  received  at  Carroll  on  the  Mis- 
souri were  confirmed  at  Cow  Island  by  a messenger  from 
him.  The  tidings  were  to  the  effect  that  his  movement 
had  not  yet  been  discovered  by  the  hostiles,  and  that  he 
hoped  still  to  be  able  to  strike  them  in  flank  ; the  messen- 
ger had  left  him  near  a line  of  abrupt  hills,  which  were 
called  "the  Little  Rockies,”  and  he  was  moving  then 
northwesterly  towards  the  upper  extremity  of  the  Bear- 
Paw  mountain  range.  With  this  man  for  a guide,  and  the 
Nez  Perce  herders  "Captain  John”  and  "George”  for  in- 
terpreters and  keen-scented  scouts,  we,  for  a time,  fol- 
lowed the  Indian  trail,  but  finally  deviated  from  it,  hoping 
to  intersect  Miles’  course.  The  weather  was  fearfully 
cold  and  the  ground  covered  with  a fresh  coating  of  snow. 
Fortunately  for  me,  Sutherland,  the  correspondent,  had 


266 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


wrapped  me  at  starting,  in  his  own  enormous  great-coat. 
It  had  a warm  hood  secured  to  the  collar ; this  attachment, 
occasionally  thrown  over  the  head,  kept  me  very  com- 
fortable. 

We  found  plenty  of  wood  the  first  night,  but  the  water 
was  alkaline,  and  made  every  man  who  drank  it,  sick,  so 
that  the  second  day  was  attended  with  great  delay,  as  well 
as  discomfort. 

J ust  as  we  passed  the  bluff  at  the  north  end  of  the  Bear- 
Paw,  and  had  been  some  time  following  Miles’  plain  trail, 
and  while  Lieut.  Wood  was  amusing  himself  in  taking  the 
skin  and  nice  cuts  from  a young  buffalo  which  he  had 
killed,  two  very  handsome,  well-mounted  scouts  were  met. 
They  had  descended  from  a neighboring  height,  where 
they  had  been  watching  a party  of  Indians  who  were 
hunting  antelope  between  Miles’  position  and  theirs ; so 
they  told  us.  They  declared  that  these  Indians  were  hos- 
tiles.  They  said,  also,  "we  have  carried  the  news  of  a 
battle,  going  on  when  we  left,  from  Gen.  Miles  to  your 
troops  with  Sturgis  and  Mason,  and  have  got  back  this 
far.”  Lieut.  Howard  declared  to  them  that  he  didn’t 
believe  that  the  hunters  were  hostile,  and  laughed  at  their 
fears.  One  of  the  scouts  at  this  became  angry,  and  said, 
"We  are  going  back  to  your  troops.  We  know  as  much 
about  Indians  as  you  do.” 

This  colloquy  had  proceeded  thus  far,  before  I had 
come  close  enough  to  hear.  The  excitement  was  soon 
quieted,  and  the  scouts  invited  to  join  us  and  ascertain 
whether  the  Indians  were  hostile  or  not. 

This  they  did,  though  their  horses,  doubtless  partaking 
of  their  riders’  feelings,  during  the  next  ten  miles  appeared 


BEAR-PAW  MOUNTAINS. 


267 


very  nervously  inclined.  It  was  difficult  to  keep  them  in 
the  column.  The  distance  from  the  head  of  Bear-Paw  to 
Miles’  camp  was  not  more  than  twelve  or  fourteen  miles, 
still  it  became  quite  dark  before  we  had  approached  near 
enough  to  catch  a glimpse  of  it. 


2(38 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

JOSEPH. — IIIS  PURSUIT  AND  CAPTURE.  — A LONG  CHASE,  AND 
A LONG  STORY  COMING  TO  AN  END.  — SLIPPERY  DICK  AND 
SITTING  BULL.  — ARRIVAL  AT  MILES’  CAMP.  — INDIANS  IN- 
TRENCHED AND  PREPARING  FOR  A SIEGE.  — A FLAG  OF 
TRUCE.  — PROPOSAL  TO  SURRENDER.  — JOSEPH  AGREES.— 
ESCAPE  OF  WHITE  BIRD.  — GATHERING  IN  PROVISIONS  AND 
WOUNDED.  — DESCRIPTION  OF  MILES’  FIGHT.  — HOMEWARD 
BOUND. 

0CTOBEE  4,  1877,  a ve  not  only  encountered  the  mes- 
sengers, who  kneiv  of  Miles’  engagement,  hut  also 
another  curious  and  solitary  courier  by  the  name  of  " Slip- 
pery Dick.”  He  was  approaching  us  to  rejoin  General 
Miles,  on  his  tall,  black  horse,  at  a rapid  gait,  having  re- 
turned from  Sitting  Bull's  camp  by  the  way  of  Tongue 
River.  He  described  the  position  of  the  famous  Sitting 
Bull.  He  believed  that  this  chieftan  had  about  twelve 
hundred  Avarriors,  and  stated  that  he  Avas  in  British  terri- 
tory, not  more  than  forty  or  fifty  miles  from  us  toward 
the  northeast.  It  appeared  evident,  that  when  he  encoun- 
tered our  troops,  Joseph  was  attempting  to  cross  the  line 
and  form  a junction  with  Sitting  Bull.  Our  several  par- 
ties Avere  now  consolidated,  and  Ave  rode  rapidly  toward 
the  point  where  the  messengers  had  last  seen  Miles. 

Suddenly,  as  we  neared  the  broAV  of  a hill,  numerous 
small  fires,  scattered  over  the  breadth  of  a mile,  made 
their  appearance.  Continuous  musketry  firing  Avas  heard. 
At  first  Ave  feared  that  in  the  darkness  the  outposts  had 


JOSEPH’S  PURSUIT  AND  CAPTURE. 


269 


mistaken  our  party  for  hostile  Indians,  and  were  therefore 
firing  at  us ; hut  soon  we  found  that  it  was  not  so.  It 
was  the  Indians  in  the  ravine,  who,  from  their  holes  and 
trenches,  were  firing  at  Miles’  investing  forces. 

'When  Miles  heard  that  I had  come  forward  and  was 
approaching  his  camp,  with  his  staff,  and  mounted,  he 
came  out  to  meet  me.  We  were  guided  to  his  tent,  where, 
before  much-needed  refreshment  and  sleep  were  allowed 
to  ourselves,  he  explained  to  me  the  situation. 

The  journal  of  my  aide-de-camp  for  the  next  day,  says  : 

" October  5th.  Firing  is  continued  by  our  troops,  with 
an  occasional  reply  from  the  enemy.  They  are  evidently 
savins-  their  ammunition  for  a siese. 

" About  eleven  o’clock,  ' Captain  John  ’ and  ' George  ’ 
were  sent  into  Joseph’s  camp  with  a flag  of  truce.  Gen- 
eral Howard  and  Colonel  Miles  were  awaiting  their  re- 
turn, near  the  advance  rifle-pits.  After  much  communi- 
cation, Joseph,  at  2 p.m.,  agreed  to  surrender  on  condition 
of  good  treatment,  and  'White  Bird  ’ said  : ' What  Joseph 
agrees  to  is  all  right.’  . . . Joseph,  first  offering  it  to 
General  Howard,  delivered  his  rifle  to  Colonel  Miles. 
The  coming-in  was  prolonged  till  long  after  dark.  The 
lame,  maimed,  halt  and  blind,  came  crawling  up  the  hill. 
Meanwhile,  'White  Bird  and  two  wounded  squaws,  with 
a party  of  fourteen,  under  cover  of  the  darkness,  escaped 
between  the  pickets.” 

October  6th.  Miles  received  information,  at  2 p.  m., 
from  the  Red  River  half-breeds,  of  thirty  Indians,  twenty 
of  them  wounded  in  Miles’  fight,  who  had  escaped  across 
the  boundary.  Also,  from  scouts,  of  six  killed  by  the 
Assinniboines,  of  two  or  three  killed  by  the  Gros  Yen- 


270 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


tres,  and  a squaw  and  two  children  captives  in  the  Assin- 
nihoine  camp.  We  sent  for  these  prisoners. 

These  notes  sufficiently  indicate  the  situation,  which 
may  he  briefly  described,  as  follows  : 

When  Miles,  with  his  active  column,  had  passed  Bear- 
Paw  Mountain,  he  had  struck  the  flank  of  Joseph’s  march  ; 
surprised  him  while  resting  in  camp.  Joseph  was  well 
posted  in  a ravine.  His  immense  herd  of  ponies  and  cap- 
tured mules  were  permitted  to  feed  along  the  slopes. 
Miles’  force  was  immediately  deployed,  and  hurled  upon 
the  Indians  and  upon  the  herd  in  such  a way  as  to  defeat 
the  former,  driving  all  but  the  killed  and  wounded  and 
the  few  that  escaped,  into  the  narrow,  crooked  ravines,  and 
capturing  the  most  of  the  herd.  The  work  was  bravely 
done,  though  the  gallant  charge  cost  the  lives  of  several 
officers  and  many  men,  and  disabled  many  more.  The 
Indians,  quickly  putting  themselves  under  the  cover 
of  the  uneven  ground,  dug  holes  and  rifle-pits,  and  were 
thus  able  to  stand  on  the  defensive. 

Finally,  after  a series  of  interesting  and  exciting  nego- 
tiations, the  surrender  of  Joseph  and  his  Indians  took 
place. 

My  force  proper  was  stopped  twenty-five  miles  back, 
at  a point  which  was  more  nearly  opposite  Sitting  Bull’s 
position  than  the  battle-field.  After  the  surrender  had 
been  completed,  all  our  forces  slowly  returned  to  the  Mis- 
souri. With  my  staff  and  escort,  I separated  from  Miles 
at  the  battle-ground,  the  7th  of  October,  and  we  came 
together  again  the  13th,  on  the  Missouri.  The  force  was 
now  divided  into  three  parties.  Sturgis’  command  re- 
mained to  watch  the  Sioux.  Miles,  taking  the  Indians 


HOMEWARD  BOUND. 


271 


with  him,  crossed  the  Missouri,  and  returned  to  Tongue 
River  by  the  same  route  that  he  had  come.  While  with 
my  infantry,  artillery,  and  staff  I again  embarked  on  the 
Steamer  Benton,  and  set  out  for  home.  A part  of  us 
made  our  way  via  Chicago,  and  the  remainder  via  Omaha, 
the  Pacific  Railroad,  and  the  Pacific  steamers,  to  our  sev- 
eral stations  in  the  Department  of  the  Columbia. 

After  Miles’  march  and  engagement,  there  arose  all  sorts 
of  heart-burnings,  reports  filled  with  claims  and  counter- 
claims for  credit.  There  were  necessarily  diversities  of 
statement,  rivalries,  criminations,  and  controversies,  such 
as  we  read  of  in  Europe  after  an  important  battle  or 
campaign. 

Such  jealous  disputations,  like  the  smoke  on  the  field, 
often  obscure  for  a time  the  results  of  the  conflict,  but 
have  a way  of  correcting  themselves  by  the  lapse  of  time. 
Accomplished  results  are  the  things  that,  in  the  main, 
concern  a general,  an  army,  a historian,  a man. 

I was  sent  to  conduct  a war  without  regard  to  depart- 
ment and  division  lines.  This  was  done  with  all  the 
energy,  ability,  and  help  at  my  command,  and  the  cam- 
paign was  brought  to  a successful  issue.  As  soon  as  the 
Indians  reached  General  Terry’s  department,  Gibbon  was 
dispatched  to  strike  his  blow ; then  Sturgis,  in  close  alli- 
ance, and,  finally,  Miles  in  the  last  terrible  battle.  These 
troops  participated  in  the  struggle  with  exposure,  battle, 
and  loss,  as  we  have  seen.  They  enjoyed  the  apprecia- 
tion and  thanks  of  their  seniors  in  command,  and  of  their 
countrymen.  But  when,  with  the  fulness  of  an  honest 
and  generous  recognition  of  the  work,  gallantry,  losses, 
and  success  of  all  co-operating  forces,  I turn  my  atten- 


272 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


tion  to  the  troops  that  fought  the  first  battles,  and  then 
pursued  the  swift-footed  fugitives  with  unparalleled  vigor 
and  perseverance,  amid  the  severest  privations,  for  more 
than  a thousand  miles,  would  it  lie  wonderful  if  I magni- 
fied their  doings,  and  gave  them,  were  it  possible,  even 
an  overplus  of  praise  for  the  part  they  bore  in  this  cam- 
paign ? 

Personally,  according  to  the  covenant  which  I have  re- 
corded, I shall  be  satisfied  to  let  another  bear  the  crown 
of  triumph,  while  my  heart  is  deeply  moved  with  thank- 
fulness that  the  work  itself  was  brought  to  a successful 
conclusion. 

It  is  a difficult  matter  to  ascertain  the  doings  and  say- 
ings of  Indians,  after  they  have  gone  on  the  "war-path.” 
As  soon  as  Joseph’s  Indians  had  passed  Kamiah  to  traverse 
the  Lo-lo  trail,  I had  but  a few  opportunities  to  gain 
knowledge  from  the  inside  of  their  lodges. 

At  the  obstructing  barricades  in  Montana,  which  were 
dangerous  to  pass,  Looking-glass  appeared  as  the  diplo- 
mat. He  succeeded  by  his  ability  in  deceiving  the  com- 
mander of  the  defences,  and  brought  past  the  hindering 
works  Joseph’s  whole  people  in  complete  safety.  He  was 
killed,  and  buried  under  the  river-bank  at  Gibbon’s  battle- 
field in  Montana. 

After  Gibbon’s  battle,  Joseph  showed  his  influence  over 
the  Indians  by  rallying  them  on  a height,  just  beyond  the 
reach  of  the  long-range  rifles.  He  gathered  the  warriors, 
recovered  lost  ground,  and  recaptured  his  numerous  herd 
of  ponies,  which  had  already  been  cut  off  by  Gibbon’s 
men,  buried  the  most  of  his  dead,  and  made  good  his  re- 
treat before  the  force  with  me  was  near  enough  to  harm 


SUMMARY  OF  THE  CAMPAIGN. 


273 


him.  Few  military  commanders,  with  good  troops,  could 
better  have  recovered  after  so  fearful  a surprise. 

At  the  Camas  Meadows,  not  far  from  Henry  Lake, 
Joseph’s  night  march,  his  surprise  of  my  camp  and  cap- 
ture of  over  a hundred  animals,  and,  after  a slight  battle, 
making  a successful  escape,  showed  an  ability  to  plan  and 
execute  equal  to  that  of  many  a partisan  leader  whose 
deeds  have  entered  into  classic  story. 

Again  : his  quick  penetration  into  my  plan  of  delaying 
my  march  between  the  Musselshell  and  the  Missouri,  so  as 
to  make  all  speed,  cross  the  broad  river  at  Cow  Island,  de- 
feat the  guard,  and  then  destroy  an  immense  freight- wagon 
train,  replenish  his  supplies,  and  make  off  beyond  danger 
from  the  direct  pursuit,  is  not  often  equalled  in  warfare. 

And  even  at  the  last,  the  natural  resources  of  his  mind 
did  not  fail  him.  Broken  in  pieces  by  Miles’  furious  and 
unexpected  assault,  burdened  with  his  women,  children, 
and  plunder,  suffering  from  the  loss  of  his  still  numerous, 
though  badly  crippled  herd  of  ponies,  yet  he  was  able  to 
intrench,  and  hold  out  for  several  days  against  twice  his 
numbers,  and  succeeded  in  pushing  out  beyond  the  white 
man’s  pickets  a part  of  his  remnant  to  join  his  allies  in 
Canada. 

The  cheery  brother,  Ollicutt,  and  old  Too-hul-hul-sote, 
were  among  the  slain  on  Miles’  field. 

From  the  beginning  of  the  Indian  pursuit  across  the 
Lolo  trail,  until  the  embarkation  on  the  Missouri  River 
for  the  homeward  journey,  including  all  halts  and  stop- 
pages, from  July  27th  to  October  10th,  my  command 
marched  one  thousand  three  hundred  and  twenty-one 
miles  in  seventy-five  days.  Joseph,  the  Indian,  taking 
18 


274 


NEZ  PERCE  JOSEPH. 


with  him  his  men,  women,  and  children,  traversed  even 
greater  distances,  for  he  had  to  make  many  a loop  in  his 
skein,  many  a deviation  into  a tangled  thicket,  to  avoid  or 
deceive  his  enemy. 

So  that  whichever  side  of  the  picture  we  examine  we 
find  there  evidence  of  wonderful  energy,  and  prolonged 
endurance.  It  will  be  indeed  fortunate  for  mankind,  if 
these  same  qualities  which  we  cannot  help  commending, 
can  hereafter  be  turned  into  a common  channel,  and  used 
for  the  promotion  of  the  arts  of  peace.  What  glorious  re- 
sults would  have  been  effected,  could  these  non-treaties 
have  received  the  same  direction  that  the  worthy  mission- 
aries were,  in  early  days,  able  to  give  to  the  remainder  of 
their  tribe,  and  have  shown  the  same  ability  and  persist- 
ence in  peace  that  they  did  during  this  fearful  Indian  war. 
Certainly  it  would  be  gratifying  to  me,  at  any  time,  to  see 
the  remnant  turn  from  savagery  to  civilization.  They  are 
a people,  even  in  their  wildness,  picturesque  and  replete 
with  interest.  May  not  these,  in  the  far-off"  Indian  Ter- 
ritory where  they  have  been  sent,  — the  Esaus  of  the 
world  — as  well  as  the  crafty  Jacobs,  have  a portion  in 
the  labor  and  the  comforts  of  the  world’s  progress  ? 


Map  to  ilkstate  Gen’l  Howard's  Nez-Perce  Campaign  1877 


